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Playoffs Today: Penguins, Islanders look for series edge

Islanders vs Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA - May 3: The New York Islanders celebrate after scoring during the second period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center on May 3, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Vincent Pugliese/ Getty Images)

We got back-to-back doubleheaders today, starting with two afternoon games on NBC before the action moves to NBCSN in the evening.

All of the games can be watched on NBC Sports Live Extra in addition to the channels mentioned below.

Game 3: New York Islanders host Pittsburgh Penguins (12:00 p.m. ET, NBC)
Series tied at 1-1

Sidney Crosby made his return in Game 2 on Friday and led the Penguins to a 3-1 lead through 20 minutes. Pittsburgh had already taken Game 1 by a score of 5-0, so it looked like they might be too much for the eighth seed Islanders. Instead the Islanders scored three unanswered goals in the last two periods to even the series.

“For us being in the playoffs and losing the 1st game the way we did, this game was a little bit of a statement game,” Islanders goaltender Evgeni Nabokov said.

But can the New York Islanders build off of that victory? They were just 10-11-3 at home this season, including two losses against Pittsburgh. At the same time, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma doesn’t want to underestimate the boost the Islanders will get in Nassau Coliseum during the playoffs.

“Our players have not seen this building like the way it’s going to be tomorrow,” Bylsma said in a Newsday report. “It’s going to be loud and it’s going to be a pretty crazy building.”

Brian Engblom will join play-by-play commentator Dave Strader.

Game 3: Minnesota Wild host Chicago Blackhawks (3:00 p.m. ET, NBC)
Blackhawks lead series 2-0

Going into this season, we saw three of the last four Presidents’ Trophy winners get booted from the playoffs in the first round. So far the Chicago Blackhawks have managed to defy that trend.

They were dominant from start to finish in the regular season, winning frequently in both blowouts and one-goal contests. That ability to compete in all situations should serve them well in the postseason and it certainly has so far.

All the same, Wild coach Mike Yeo isn’t giving up hope.

“Because we’re down 2-0, it doesn’t mean this series is over,” Yeo said. “I’ve been a part of series where we’ve come back from being down 2-0 and I know there’s other people on our team who have as well.”

Analysts Eddie Olczyk and Pierre McGuire will be on hand for NBC, as will play-by-play commentator Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick.

Game 3: Ottawa Senators host Montreal Canadiens (7:00 p.m. ET, NBCSN)
Series tied at 1-1

This series has been emotional on and off the ice, from controversial hits to verbal brawling.

Both teams have taken a game, which means the Montreal Canadiens will need to win at least one game in Ottawa in order to advance past the first round.

Montreal has a fantastic 15-7-2 road record while the Senators might have some trouble keeping the Habs’ faithful out of Scotiabank Place.

Randy Hahn will be the play-by-play guy for NBCSN’s doubleheader and he’ll be joined by Brodie Brazil, Bret Hedican, and Drew Remenda.

Game 3: San Jose Sharks host Vancouver Canucks (10:00 p.m. ET, NBCSN)
Sharks lead series 2-0

The Sharks took Game 2 in dramatic fashion with Patrick Marleau netting the tying goal with just 56 sec remaining in regulation time. Raffi Torres then completed the comeback at 5:31 of the overtime period.

“We’re a bunch of veterans,” Sharks’ captain Joe Thornton said. “All of us have played in so many playoff games, the calmness is scary sometimes.”

Thornton has never won the Stanley Cup before and he’s running out of chances, but the same can be said for Vancouver’s Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

The Canucks have the same veteran presence as the Sharks, both have been dominant forces in the regular season for years, and neither franchise has ever won the Stanley Cup. Neither team wants to see another year end in failure as their core players gradually head towards the decline of their careers.