New York had taken game one and then lost their lead in game 2 against the Washington Capitals, and wanted to maintain the advantage for stealing home ice from the Capitals.
But it would start quickly in game 3. Each team would only have a one man advantage on the power play in the opening period one time. First the Islanders had a power play, but couldn't score after the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Curtis Glencross of the Capitals. Then the Capitals could not get past Jaroslav Halak after a Calvin de Haan two minute minor for tripping.
But the Islanders were the first to get on the board as Kyle Okposo was able to light up the lamp behind Braden Holtby. Okposo's second goal of the 2015 NHL postseason was assisted by Lubomir Visnovsky and Josh Bailey. The remaining penalties that occurred in this contest were also in the second period as both teams had two opportunities on the power play, but were unable to capitalize as this was going to primarily be a defensive battle as both goalies were building a brick wall behind them.
In the third period the Capitals were able to tie it up though when Nicklas Backstrom got his second goal of the postseason as well. It was with 6:06 left in the period so time was starting to run out for Washington, but they weren't about to pull the goalie for the empty net quite yet.
As the clock went down and overtime was apparent, it was just going to be a matter of time before the the fans in Uniondale were going to get playoff hockey, which is the best type of hockey.
But, they didn't get to see very much of it. John Tavares was finally able to get his first goal of this postseason on a play assisted by Nikolay Kulemin and Nick Leddy. Kulemin had shot it on goal and Tavares was able to get it when Holtby was trying to send it away from the goal.
Game 4 of the series will return to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York on Tuesday, April 21, as the Islanders will try to extend their 2-1 series lead.