Blaming the schedule makers typically is a poor excuse, but it’s not for the New York Islanders and Florida Panthers.
These teams played Game 3 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series on Sunday night, which the Islanders won 4-3 in overtime.
It was an exciting game despite it being the third contest of the series in a four-day span. Playing any sport three times in four days is difficult, let alone playoff hockey — arguably the most physically demanding postseason in sports.
Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo is among the players feeling fatigued after so much playoff action in such a short period of time.
Luongo is the oldest goalie in the playoffs at 37 years of age. Playing a lot of games so close together is not as easy as it used to be for the former Olympic gold medalist.
It also doesn’t help that Luongo has struggled in the playoffs. He’s lost eight of his last nine playoff starts, and his .907 save percentage in Round 1 ranks 13th among 17 goalies who’ve played in two or more games so far.
Luckily for Luongo, Game 4 isn’t until Wednesday, giving each team two days off before the series resumes. That said, the Panthers need Luongo to give a better performance in Game 4 or they will travel back to Florida facing elimination.
Thumbnail photo via Robert Mayer/USA TODAY Sports Images
