Our New York Islanders swept their way past Pittsburgh into round 2 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs only to be swept themselves by the similarly modeled stingy, floor checking play of the Carolina Hurricanes. New York was failed by their resurgent lack of scoring depth (4-0 when scoring at least 3 goals, 0-4 without) and struggles to add to or recapture a lead. The game one goaltender interference call against Anders Lee and 'distinct kicking motion' of Devon Toews disallowed goals in games 1 and 2 were close to giving the Isles a good shot at being up 2 games to none after two instead of down by 2. Even with the late postseason surge, the power play was the most significant deficit in New York's game all season, and I would argue it cost them an advance or two in the postseason. Per Eric Hornick, The Isles scored power-play goals in each of the last three games of the series; they did that only once in the regular season (4-game streak in October)." Goaltending was great, and the defense was good while the team's energy and snarl was always present. It just wasn't enough to overcome bad puck-luck and the previously discussed failures in the system. "It's the only time all season that the Isles have lost four straight games, the first time that they have been swept in a playoff series since 1994 (Rangers), and the first time they have been swept in a series that they opened at home." – Hornick
Stat wise, Brock Nelson, Jordan Eberle, and Josh Bailey lead the Isles in playoff scoring. Eberle and Mathew Barzal led the team in playoff assists with 5. Jordan Eberle had the best postseason of his career for New York. He had a team-leading 9 points and scored at least one point in every playoff game in which the Isles scored in. Robin Lehner finished the post season 4-4 (0-3 vs. Canes) with a .936 Sv% and a 2.00 GAA. Thomas Greiss made eight saves in relief of Lehner in game 4. Carolina advanced to the conference finals to face the Boston Bruins, who they now trail 1-0.
With all that said, it was a fantastic season for a team that needed an emotional lift. It was a great model for Lou Lamoriello and Adams nominee, Barry Trotz to really evaluate their squad going into a huge free agent summer. Anders Lee and Robin Lehner stepped into their prospective roles and were a fantastic part of the team's success this season. Lee led the team like a seasoned captain with his on and off-ice actions. Per Andrew Gross, "Agent, Neil Sheehy, and Lou Lamoriello had a 'lot of conversations' all season. 'People know how I feel about this place. Right now, Lou and Neil are going to figure that out, and that side of things will take when they come." Robin Lehner rose from the ashes into an elite goaltender this season and immediately inserted himself into Isles goaltending history. "I can't state enough I love everything about this team" -Lehner. His Masterton and Vezina nominations say others agree. Lehner was once again my Grail Knight of round 2 and overall for the Isles 2019 playoff run.
Jordan Eberle, Brock Nelson, Valtteri Filppula, and Devon Toews are all UFA's as well. All players who played well and would be a welcome signing for most fans. "We'd like to have them back without question. They have to make decisions, and we have to make decisions, but they are all quality human beings and players, and they've been an integral part of this organization." – Lamerillo on Isles free agent class. Tom Kuhnhackl is also a UFA who played hard and showed his mettle to everyone watching. D, Luca Sbisa or insurance player, Dennis Seidenberg are UFA's who are unlikely to be resigned. Tanner Fritz was a valuable minor league asset who ended the season on the IR and is also eligible to enter July 1st as a UFA. RFA's Anthony Beauvillier and Michael Dal Colle proved their value to management. But the summer is wide open, especially if ground for Belmont is broken as the team rumors suggest. Per Arthur Staple, "Lamoriello is extremely confident that Belmont is on target. "I wouldn't have come here if there weren't going to be a new building... Unless you know something I don't, it's still on the right path." The Islanders have to be an attractive trade target and free agent destination for top tier players this summer.
The team has room for improvement. They need to make adjustments that address the holes in their game that showed in round 2 of the playoffs and should investigate all avenues of team depth. The pride was there, and the culture has changed for the better. This team is relevant, and they understand that enough not to be full of themselves or think they are better than they are.
I'm sure they will even be looking into all attractive international and prospect players that might fit into the master plan.
But that's another article. Or three.
Isles Notes:
Per Arthur Staple, "Mayfield had an ankle issue — fluid kept filling up, could barely get his skate on during the final month."
Brett Cyrgalis on Cal Clutterbuck, "Stress fracture, rotated vertebrae, two slipped discs, pinched nerve," is how Clutterbuck rambled off the things that are wrong during Monday's breakup day on Long Island. "A couple things that need to be addressed in there, so I'll go see a couple specialists and go from there."
Per Eric Hornick, "The Isles finished 2nd in the Metro Division, 4th in the Eastern Conference and 5th in the NHL. The Isles have not finished that high since the conference was created. They last finished that high in a conference in 87-88, when they were 3rd in the Wales Conference. It's the first time since 1985-86 that the Isles have finished in the top five overall."
"In the regular season, the Isles were 35-16-6 when Casey Cizikas, Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck all play and are 13-11-1 when one or more miss a game. They are 4-3 when all three play in the playoffs and 0-1 when one (Clutterbuck) misses a game."
The NHL Awards will be held in Las Vegas on June 19th while the 2019 NHL Entry Draft will be held in Vancouver on June 21st-22nd.
The Isles will pick 22nd in the first round of the draft if Columbus beats Boston and will pick 23rd if the Bruins win that series. The Isles own Calgary's 2nd round pick (but not their own). – Hornick
