Sports

After surprising split in Pittsburgh, Isles welcome Penguins to long-awaited home playoff game

Associated Press
Published | Updated

New York Islanders' Kyle Okposo (21) celebrates his goal with teammates Matt Moulson (26) and Frans Nielsen, rear, during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Friday, May 3, 2013, in Pittsburgh. The Islanders won 4-3 to even the series at 1-1.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Associated Press)

A shot by New York Islanders' Kyle Okposo, not shown, slides behind Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the third period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Friday, May 3, 2013, in Pittsburgh. At bottom are Islanders' Matt Moulson (26) and Penguins' Douglas Murray. The Islanders won 4-3 to even the series at 1-1. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Associated Press)

The New York Islanders said all the right things in the days leading up to their first-round playoff matchup against the top-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins.

Yes, they knew the odds of an upset in a No. 1 vs. No. 8 series were stacked heavily against them, and yes they were aware that the Penguins roster reads more like an All-Star game lineup than an everyday club.

Still, the upstart Islanders declared they were ready and up to the daunting challenge ahead of them.

Whether they truly believed will never be known, but make no mistake, their comeback victory in Game 2 in Pittsburgh gave them a jolt of positive energy they hope carries them through their first home playoff game in six years on Sunday.