The New York Islanders lost a crucial Game 3 to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, but they still have the upper hand in their Qualifying Round series. One more victory would send the Isles into the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the formula for doing so is simple.
Stay out of the penalty box.
Granted, this isn’t the most insightful hockey analysis, but it’s the truth. Entering the third period in Game 3, the Isles had all the momentum in the world. A late goal in the second period leveled the score and the Panthers were 20 minutes from elimination.