Barry Trotz’s various descriptions of the Islanders-Bruins’ second-round series as "razor thin" and with "no easy ice" have been apt.
The Bruins held a 2-1 series lead entering Saturday night’s Game 4 at Nassau Coliseum, with the teams splitting the last two games in overtime and a 5-2 Bruins’ win in Game 1 that was tied in the third period. Each team had held a multi-goal lead in one period apiece. Otherwise, it had been a one-goal series.
Which is why the little details that Trotz often cites — everything from faceoffs to defensive spacing to goaltending to special teams — are so important.