New York Islanders 2018-19 Playoff Primer vs. Hurricanes

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.”