Players and coaches recite the usual talking points of one shift, one period at a time and not looking ahead to the big picture. But even if there’s the same mentality, there’s a different feel in elimination games. How can there not be? Another loss and the season and everything a team has worked for since Day 1 of training camp is suddenly over.
"We’ve gone to this point and we’ve got to earn the right to continue to play," Matt Martin said.
The Islanders faced elimination on Wednesday night in Game 6 of their NHL semifinal series against the Lightning at Nassau Coliseum after an 8-0 loss on Monday night at Amalie Arena.