The directive from Islanders coach Barry Trotz was that this is what playoff hockey is all about — being able to refocus after an emotional game, win or loss.
Twenty-four hours after the Islanders played host to one of the more memorable hockey nights in recent memory when former captain John Tavares returned to the Coliseum, they just sort of ran out of gas late in losing to the Capitals 3-1 on Friday night on Long Island.
The Islanders (37-20-7) were coming off that wild 6-1 win over Tavares and the Maple Leafs on Thursday, when the Coliseum was packed and full of excitement and angst.