Schwartz: 4 Questions For Islanders Heading Into Pivotal Game 5

By Peter Schwartz
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I'd like to personally thank the NHL for scheduling the start of Friday's Game 5 of the Islanders/Panthers series at 8 p.m. The league really did my family and I a solid because an earlier start might have created a bit of a situation.

At sundown, the Jewish holiday of Passover begins with the first Seder, which is a ritual feast that is performed by a gathering of a community or family on the first two nights. Depending on one's level of observance or traditions, the length of a Seder varies.

With that in mind, the ceremonial and dinner portion of our Seder should be over by the time Game 5 starts. Given that we're an Islanders house, it couldn't have worked out any better. The combination of desert and playoff hockey is something to look forward to.

Passover is a little extra special in our house this year, not because the Islanders are in the playoffs but because my son, Bradley, has started Hebrew school and the countdown is on towards his Bar Mitzvah in a couple of years. A Passover tradition at a Seder is that the youngest child (that can read) recites the four questions dealing with how this night is different from all other nights.

After Bradley asks the questions, I'll read the answer that is in the Passover Seder book. But when the Seder is over, Bradley will likely have some more questions for me when we settle in to watch the game. In fact, all Islanders fans will have their own version of the four questions before the puck drops in Sunrise.

-- What could make this night different than other nights for the Islanders?

The Islanders will be looking to snap a drought when it comes to Game 5 of a playoff series.  The Islanders haven't won a Game 5 since 1987, losing 11 straight including last year in Washington.

-- How will the Islanders compensate for the loss of Ryan Pulock to a shoulder injury?

At the time that I'm writing this, it's hard to tell what head coach Jack Capuano will do, but the choices will come down to rookie Adam Pelech and veterans Marek Zidlicky and Brian Strait. If it were up to me, I'd go with Pelech, but I think Capuano will turn to someone with experience and I'm guessing it will be Strait.

-- Will the Islanders be able to find some secondary scoring to help out the number one line of John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, and Frans Nielsen?

That's a really good question. The Islanders basically don't have any earth-shattering options to turn to as they are what they are. They could insert a Steve Bernier or Eric Boulton, but that's probably not going to help solve the lack of scoring. They need the likes of Ryan Strome, Brock Nelson, Josh Bailey, and the fourth line to get things going. Tavares can't do it himself, so if nobody helps and the power play can't get going, the Islanders will be in trouble.

-- Are the Islanders going to win this series?

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned given the way the Islanders played in Game 4, but I also think you can make the argument that they could very well be down three games to one if things didn't go their way in Games 1 and 3. I do think Capuano has done an excellent job with this team over the last month or so. He called out some of his players late in the season and the team responded. If I had to guess, I believe he'll find a way to motivate his players Friday night. I picked the Islanders in six games and I'll stick with that.

MORE: Capellini: Beginning Of The End? Islanders May Be In Serious Trouble

Passover has always been my favorite Jewish holiday of the year. To me, it's a holiday that brings family together as we commemorate the emancipation of Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.    My wife and mother-in-law have been busy all week preparing the feasts that the family is going to enjoy over the next two nights.

I can only hope that the Islanders can feast on the Panthers and not pass over this opportunity that's in front of them. After all, my 11th commandment is to finally end the 23-year drought of not winning a playoff series.

Happy Passover and let's go Islanders!

Don't forget to follow Pete on Twitter at @pschwartzcbsfan