In Toronto, the Florida Panthers avoided the ignominious designation of being just as bad as the New York Rangers in the qualifying play in round in the NHL.
On Wednesday, the Panthers won Game 3, 3-2, over the New York Islanders to get back in their series; they trail 1-2.
“We played hard in a do-or-die situation,” the Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad said. “We asked a lot of each other today and we came out with a Grade-A outcome. We’re happy and excited to do it all again in two days.”
Sergei Bobrovsky made 20 saves to help- extend the Panthers season.
“It’s great for our team, for our guys, for us to step up in today’s game,” Bobrovsky said. “It was a big game. A big game mentally and I thought every guy in the locker room elevated his game.”
Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Brock Nelson scored for the Isles.
“It’s a little bit of a missed opportunity for us to knock them out, but they’re a good hockey team,” Isles head coach Barry Trotz said. “They’re a very talented team and well-coached, and they’ve got some star power. We got away a little bit from our game but we know we have to get back to our game.”
Erik Haula and Mike Hoffman scored on the power play; Florida was 2-for-5 with the extra skater.
“Playoff hockey, you’ve got to take on a tone of a defensive type of mindset and a commitment to play without the puck,” Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville said. “Simplicity sometimes puts you in the right fashion. Trying to manufacture all the time usually leads to trouble against you.”
Brian Boyle struck for the third Florida goal.
“It’s rewarding for us because we’re putting the work in,” Boyle said. “A few mistakes have cost us so far and we’re not where we want to be in the series, but we can only control today and up to the third period we could only control how we started that third period. We did a good job.”
[WATCH: All Islanders vs. Panthers highlights]
Semyon Varlamov made 19 saves in the loss.
Game 4 on Friday.
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