PITTSBURGH — It was a year ago that Barry Trotz was in this exact position, only the other side. So he knows first-hand how quickly things can change.
That is why the Islanders coach was trying to keep his club even-keeled as they headed to Western Pennsylvania for Game 3 of this first-round series with the Penguins on Sunday afternoon, having held serve with two dramatic victories at the Coliseum over the past week.
A 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series is exactly what the Blue Jackets held on Trotz and his Capitals in the first round last year.