The question to Barry Trotz was whether he has sensed any anxiousness as the Islanders await the start of their second-round playoff series.
“Other than my own?” the coach quickly replied.
The Islanders resumed practice on Monday at East Meadow after taking Easter Sunday off, knowing their long layoff would come to an end at some point this week. They completed their four-game sweep of the Penguins with a 3-1 win at Pittsburgh last Tuesday.
They will face the winner of the Capitals-Hurricanes’ series. Game 6 was Monday night at Carolina and Game 7, if necessary, is Wednesday night at Washington.