Isles Even Series 3-3

2002 Playoffs

"I think the pressure will be on them," New York's Kip Miller said. "They were the better team all year. They have home ice. Their crowd will not like it if they don't win."

The Isles were playing without defenseman Kenny Jonsson and captain Michael Peca, who were both injured on questionable hits in Game 5. Peca will miss at least six months with a torn ligament in his knee.

"The cards you're dealt are the cards you're dealt and you have to play with them," Islanders coach Peter Laviolette said. "The cards that we played tonight were warriors. All 20 of them."

After Czerkawski's second goal of the game gave the Islanders a 5-2 lead at 3:49, the rowdy Nassau Coliseum crowd chanted, "Michael Peca! Michael Peca!"

"The crowd, it gave you chills to be here," said Eric Cairns. "You can't put it into words."

Adrian Aucoin, Alexei Yashin and Miller also scored for the Islanders, who will travel to Toronto for Game 7 on Tuesday.

Wade Belak, Jonas Hoglund and Gary Roberts scored for the Leafs, who remained without Mats Sundin (broken wrist) and Mikael Renberg (hamstring/pelvis).

"It was a hard-fought game," said Travis Green. "The Islanders played hard tonight, give them credit. We just want to put this one behind us and move on."