Maybe the sting of the Game 2 loss has worn off for some, and there’s room for excitement as the Islanders are back on Long Island for their only two home playoff games in their series with the Carolina Hurricanes. After all, you’re not really in trouble until you lose a home game, as the playoff conventional wisdom goes.
For others, it’s a death march, with low expectations and fears of another extinguishing at the hands of the Canes.
Either way, once the music and the crowd buzz starts, even the biggest pessimist has to feel some excitement for Game 3, yeah?