Isles drop Game 3 to Florida, extending qualifier series
New York looks to clinch playoff berth on Friday
By winning the first two games of their best-of-five Stanley Cup qualifier series against the Florida Panthers, the New York Islanders gave themselves three opportunities to advance to the playoffs for a second straight season.
The first of those chances went by the wayside Wednesday afternoon at the NHL’s Eastern Conference bubble site in Toronto.
Despite goals from Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Brock Nelson, the Isles dropped a 3-2 decision to the Panthers, forcing them to play Game 4 on Friday at high noon.