The Islanders tied the best-of-7 series with their 4-1 win against the Penguins in Game 4 at Nassau Coliseum on Saturday. Each team has been victorious on the road; New York won 4-3 in overtime in Game 1 at Pittsburgh on May 16.
Another road victory Monday would provide the Islanders a chance to win the series at home, with Game 6 in New York on Wednesday.
"The win that we got there, we're able to go and win an away game," Pageau, the Islanders forward, said Sunday. "I think that's our goal right now, to go out there and play like there's no tomorrow. Just go and give it all, leave it all out there and hopefully have a chance to come back here and finish it off.
"Obviously going in there with fans, it was the first experience for us in playoffs with fans. It felt like a full house just because we were so used to playing without any fans, so it was pretty cool. But I think we have to take that energy and almost put it on our side."
The Islanders hosted 6,800 fans at Nassau Coliseum the past two games; the Penguins welcomed 9,344 into their building for their 2-1 win in Game 2. New York coach Barry Trotz said he's excited for the chance to play in front of what should be another raucous atmosphere.
"I think our game's getting better as we go along here, so I'm looking forward to it," Trotz said. "I'm looking forward to the challenge. Both teams are going to be ramped up. Tomorrow night after the game, one team's going to have their back against the wall, so it's best out of three. That's it.
"Tomorrow, you don't worry about getting two (wins), just get the first shift tomorrow, first period, and we'll go from there. But both teams, there's not much separating the teams. It's nose-to-nose."
The Islanders have been mostly successful in keeping Sidney Crosby off the score sheet; the Penguins center has not scored a point in three straight games and was held to two shots on goal in Game 4. Trotz has seen plenty of Crosby dating to his time as coach of the Washington Capitals (2014-18) and knows the Pittsburgh captain is a threat each time he's on the ice.
"He's had one goal, but he's dangerous," Trotz said. "He's an elite player who plays an elite game night in and night out. We just hope to contain him.
"The top players like him, I have so much respect for Sid as a player and a person. This is the fifth time going against Sid in the playoffs for myself, and he's an exceptional player and a great example of what an NHL player is in this league. He's a gold standard. He's carried this league, with him and [Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin], I think, when the League really needed it. Him and 'Ovi' carried it. He's been a great ambassador and a great example of the NHL."
After failing to put a stranglehold on the series Saturday, Crosby and the Penguins will surely be looking to respond in front of their fans in Game 5. It's a challenge the Islanders embrace.
"It's us against the world, man," Trotz said. "Us against them."
