Chances of Islanders winning Game 3

The New York Islanders are playing in a pivotal game that can make or break their chances in the series. By winning this game tonight, they would be able to carry the momentum and focus on turning their two game deficit to the Carolina Hurricanes into a potential lead. It will be difficult especially since they are on the road the next two games, but it can be done and it should start tonight.

First, the Islanders need to ramp up their scoring. The fact that they have only scored one goal in the last two games needs to change. They were able to win both games in Pittsburgh against the Penguins last series, and they scored a total of 14 goals throughout that series. While Carolina is a different team, the goal stays the same and that is to score early and score often.

If they do that, then they will have a better chance to win Game 3, as Robin Lehner has been playing well throughout this series and can solidify the win on his end. Lehner has a .929 save percentage so far in this series and if he can get the support he needs from the forwards then the Islanders will be able to win the game and go from there.  Another thing that will benefit the Islanders tonight is if forward Cal Clutterbuck returns to the ice. Clutterbuck left Game 2 with an undisclosed injury and is expected to be a game time decision. If Clutterbuck is able to return fully healthy that would be a relief to the Islanders, as they do not want to lose a key player, especially being down 2-0 in the series.

The Islanders need to take this a game at a time and just score tonight. They need to turn the series around in Carolina so that they can return to Brooklyn with a better chance to win. They have a chance as Hurricanes goalie Petr Mrazek is not expected to start in goal Game 3. Mrazek left Game 2 due to a lower body injury. Curtis McElhinney is expected to start in his place, making his playoff debut. If the Islanders can find opportunities to score, along with the defensemen and Lehner securing the defensive end, then the Islanders can win, in a prime opportunity to turn the tide.