from Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post,

It was a year ago that Barry Trotz was in this exact position, only the other side. So he knows first-hand how quickly things can change.

That is why the Islanders coach was trying to keep his club even-keeled as they headed to Western Pennsylvania for Game 3 of this first-round series with the Penguins on Sunday afternoon, having held serve with two dramatic victories at the Coliseum over the past week.

A 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series is exactly what the Blue Jackets held on Trotz and his Capitals in the first round last year. That just happened to be the beginning of Washington’s run to the Stanley Cup.

“Everyone is well aware of the stuff that happened,” Trotz said Saturday morning before flying out. “It’s just that we look at it as we have to get the next game. The series is far from over. We’re just worrying about trying to get another game. That’s [where] all our focus should have to be.

“Until you get the fourth one, the series is always going.”

continued