Aves      3

Isles      2

Did the Isles just lose the cup???? Wayyyyyy back in the first round GM Joe took a risk starting a slightly fatigued Vasilevskiy in Game 6 with a chance to end the series with Carolina. Had the Isles lost that game Vasilevskiy would have been extremely fatigued/unavailable for game 7 and quite possibly not here at this point. Tonights game had a very similar air about it as once again GM Joe rolled with Vasilevskiy hoping to get a leg up in the series but instead has put his team and himself in a very shitty position. Now trailing in the series 2 games to 1 the Isles will be forced into using an increasingly fatigued Vasilevskiy (not likely) or the very inferior C. McElhinney against either of the excellent tenders of Colorado. Neither scenerio bodes well for the Eastern champs as another loss (somewhat expected) will put their backs to the wall. There obviously won't be any white flags raised and the game isn't over until it is over but there is no denying the possible error in strategy. Tonights game was a far more indicative game of how close these teams are with the deciding goal coming very late in the third. The shot totals per period and for the game were also close.....they even had an even fight card total of 1-1 and 1.....lol. The Isles will be looking for a surprise victory at home in Game 4 while Colorado will look to take a stranglehold in the series.