For the New York Islanders, it's simple: win or go home.
Unfortunately for the Isles, winning three in a row over the Tampa Bay Lightning is easier said than done.
However, while the task may be daunting, the team believes it can be achieved. Especially captain John Tavares.
"It doesn't matter how you get it done," Tavares said. "It's a fine line, so even if the breaks aren't going our way, we have to find ways to make them, make plays and capitalize and obviously seal the deal when the opportunity is there."
Tavares has cooled off against Tampa Bay, being held pointless in the last three contests after scoring nine points in six games versus the Florida Panthers. But points aren't what's important to the 25-year-old.
"You just want to keep playing," he told Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post. "We want to win the Stanley Cup, and this is part of the process. You get your back up against the wall, and you just have to start out and get a win (Sunday). I don't think we want to make it much bigger than that."
Having squandered late leads to ultimately lose in overtime in Games 3 and 4, New York is understandably frustrated with the results, but content with its recent efforts.
"Games 3 and 4, you play like that, that's Islanders hockey," head coach Jack Capuano said. "I like the way we played in all areas of our game. (But) you're not complacent because it's a results-based business. You have to win hockey games. I think the guys that we have, if you consistently show the things that we're doing, they know we should have won the game."
