Our New York
Islanders will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the 2019 NHL
Stanley Cup Playoffs. Carolina is coming off a double O.T., game 7 win against
the defending Cup Champion Capitals last night. New York will have home-ice advantage
against their wildcard opponent and look to take another step towards the Cup
finals.
Friday,
April 26 7:00 p.m. Barclays Center
(NBCSN)
Sunday,
April 28 3:00 p.m. Barclays Center
(NBC)
Wednesday,
May 1 7:00 p.m. PNC Arena (NBCSN)
Friday, May
3 7:00 p.m. PNC Arena (NBCSN)
* Sunday,
May 5 TBD Barclays Center
* Tues. May 7
TBD PNC Arena
* Wed. May 8
TBD Barclays Center
Post-game
coverage on MSG Networks
(All games
listed in EST)
Per NHL.com,
"I know they're sitting there probably licking their chops; we all would
be the way this series went, seven games, overtime, the grind that this series
was ...," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "I haven't had time to
think about it. I know they're a great team and that's why they're playing, and
they had a pretty easy round. They know how to win, and they know how to do it
right."
The Isles will
be off for 10 days by the time the puck drops tomorrow night at the Barclays
Center. Ten days they used to heal (Clutterbuck & Mayfield) and refocus
from a storybook first-round sweep against the Penguins. Barry Trotz admitted
he didn’t have much of a late book on Carolina, but with the layoff, the staff should
have had ample time to dissect their playoff performance against Washington and
probably has a much better idea of how to match up then they did at the end of their
round one series. Let’s hope they are ready to hit the ice flying in game one
and start the series off the right way, rust free.
"We've
tried to do our best to stay in game shape and game situations in
practice," New York forward Jordan Eberle said. "I know it's tough,
especially when you watch all this hockey being played. But at the end of the
day, it should be an advantage. We'll be rested and ready to go."
It’s no secret
the Isles were good at home and on the road last season. And at home, they were
very even when Playing at both the Coliseum and Barclays Center this season.
While they were 12-7-2 at the NVMC, they went 12-6-2 in Brooklyn are 78-48-18
overall at the Barclays Center. The Low roof and passionate crowd should spell
another intimidating atmosphere for the opposition. The Isles were 3-1-0
against the Hurricanes last season (even winning 7 of last 10) despite being
outshot 112-59. They will need more of the same from their #1 ranked defense
and relentless checking game if they want to nullify the speedy and feisty
Canes. They will need to pressure the Canes in all 3 zones, dictate play and
overcome their aggressive checking game.
The 4th line of
Clutterbuck-Cizikas-Martin and Pulock-Pelech line need to factor into the end-game
results and Robin Lehner 4-0-0 with his layoff leading 1.47 GAA & .956Sv%
will need to carry the anchor again. Lehner stopped 130 of 136 shots and played
a calm, cool series for the Isles against Pittsburgh. Keep in mind that Thomas
Greiss figured prominently (3-1-0) in the Isles recent success against Carolina
and should do the same if called upon. Both goaltenders have been good and the
intensity in the postseason should only enhance that. The defense will be the
story. If New York can maintain their defensive play, they should control the
game and force Carolina to take chances while staying out of the box.
The Power Play
needs to improve (2/13 at 15.4%) and their FOW percentage (51.7%) needs to continue.
The Hurricanes are similar in both categories with a 3/25 (12%) PP and 51.1%
FOW percentage. The Isles PK remains stable at 90.9% while Carolina ranks near
the bottom at 75%. Amongst active playoff teams, only SJ is worse with a 72.4%
FOW. Jordan Eberle, Matt Barzal, Josh Bailey, Valtteri Filppula, and Brock
Nelson have a chance to lead the team again offensively along with speedy
defender, Devon Toews, especially on the man advantage. Thomas Hickey should be
replacing the minutes formerly taken by the injured (out 3-4 weeks) veteran, Johnny
Boychuk. Hickey is used to playing a significant role in big games for the
Isles.
The Carolina
Hurricanes are motivated, relentless and resilient. Sound familiar? The New
York Islanders will need to contain opposing players like Jaccob Slavin (9pts
and 3 assists in game 7 vs Caps), Warren Foegele (4 goals, 6 pts), Jordan Staal
(6pts), Dougie Hamilton (6pts), Sebastian Aho (5 pts) and Brock McGinn (5pts)
who scored the game 7, 2nd O.T. winning goal. New York will also need to breach
a much-improved Carolina defense game and create traffic in front of Mrazek. Goaltender,
Petr Mrazek has gotten hot at the right time along with his squad. Mrazek had a
2.54 GAA and an .899Sv% with 1 shut out for Carolina in the postseason. He is
an athletic goaltender but is susceptible to shots going to the glove side, especially if traffic. The
leadership of Justin Williams can’t be discounted. His 3 Cup wins (‘06-CAR and
’12 & ’14 LAK) give him some keen on-ice and in the room insight for his
team.
Don’t forget the motivation of former Islander 2010 5th overall
selection, F, Nino Niederreiter or Isles 2009 12th overall selection, D, Calvin
de Haan to stick it to their former team. While de Haan was well received back
in New York for leaving as a free agent, Niederreiter was traded away for Cal
Clutterbuck (and NJ’s 3rd rounder – Eamon McAdam) in 2013 after controversial
rumors about wanting to be traded and taking exception to management's lack of
urgency to put him in the Isles lineup.
That was then,
and this is now. The Isles have a team that plays for each other and plays in a
system that relies on each man holding themselves and others accountable. I’ll
take those odds any day. It should be another exciting series. I’m sure
everyone is ready to go.
"Trust me,
we're fresh," Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. "We'll get the rust
off. It may take a little bit, but we haven't had game action for a bit. That
will come. That's not an issue. We're going to be enthused."
#Isles Notes
Per
@Demerti_S42, “John Tavares met with 5 teams last summer as a free agent. 4 of
those teams (NYI, BOS, SJ, DAL) are still playing hockey. The one he chose is
not.”
Per Eric
Hornick, “#JT91
goes 2-3-5 (including an ENG) and -4 in #Leafs playoff
“run”, which ran out before the Isles lost a playoff game.”
Per Rob Taub, “#Isles
legend Bob Nystrom on WFAN: "I think that the fans are so charged up that
they're going to bring that energy to Barclays Center. I expect them to be just
as loud as they were at the Coliseum."
Per @TwoTurtleDuffs,
“@RobinLehner has been dominant
on the ice this season, but his biggest impact has come away from hockey. Lehner's
openness about his struggles with addiction and mental health has inspired
countless fans. Here are some stories of the lives he's touched.”
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