The Islanders return to the Barclays Center tonight as they are set to host the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of their best of 7 series. The Isles are trying to take a commanding three games to one series lead with a victory tonight. Puck drop is set for 8PM so get ready for another long night. These start times are brutal but still not as bad as some of the start times in the Central Time Zone. Islanders Head Coach Jack Capuano announced this morning that Thomas Greiss will be in net and the defensive group will remain the same. He was noncommittal on the forwards and said that they will be announced closer to game time.
The Isles have done a lot right through three games. John Tavares is playing out of his mind and the top line is generating chances. The third line of Shane Prince, Alan Quine and Ryan Strome has been feisty, creating chances and offering some secondary scoring. Ryan Pulock and Thomas Hickey have been solid on the third pair and are providing offense.
However more is needed if the Isles are going to win the series. The fourth line was a minus 8 in game three. That has to change. This line has to be able to match the effectiveness of the Panthers fourth line. Also we know of the struggles of the second line.
While Brock Nelson, Nikolay Kulemin and Josh Bailey were instrumental in creating the game winner on Sunday, they have to do more. If their play does not improve, their minute should be cut and the third line needs to be out there more.
The Islanders are leading through three games but the Panthers have played well. They are big, young and fast and have proved to be a matchup nightmare for the top four dman of New York. The Islanders have to find a way to posses the puck more and keep these trees away from the crease.
Tonight is a watershed game for this franchise. They have been in this situation before. They have had the chance to grab a stranglehold in a series only to let it slip through their hands. Now is the time for this team to take the next step. They need to come out flying tonight, keep the Panthers from scoring early and take charge in this series.