The New York Islanders got past the Washington Capitals in their first-round playoff series, and now they will meet the top-seeded Flyers. Philadelphia earned the #1 spot in the Eastern Conference by having the best record during the round-robin tournament.
New York needed just five games to eliminate the Washington Capitals, and they should have plenty of momentum heading into this series. The Islanders had only 80 points during the regular season, but they used the restart to their advantage.
In just six seasons, the New York Islanders would have their first player crack the milestone. As it turns out, that player would go on to hit the 50-goal plateau nine times – the most of any. The now 24-year-old forward has struggled to crack the Islanders lineup and his outspoken nature has often caused himself headaches. Josh Ho-Sang requested a trade last season and was told by Islanders general manager not to report to AHL Bridgeport while they worked to find a place to send him. TORONTO — A suffocating defense has become the Islanders’ hallmark under Coach Barry Trotz. But the Washington Capitals were well positioned to crack his system in the first round of the N.H.L. New York Islanders. Current Cap Hit: $77,594,163 (under the $81.5MM Upper Limit) Entry-Level Contracts. D Noah Dobson (two years, $894K) Potential Bonuses Dobson: $537.5K. Dobson was a victim of the NHL-CHL agreement that prevented him from being eligible to play in the AHL. The Islanders, however, found another crack in Funkey with 2:07 to play when Michael Doherty banged home Chris Izmirlian’s rebound. Conor MacPhee also assisted on the play. Funkey skated off for an extra attacker with 1:19 on the clock after a 25-save performance, but Ian McGilvrey sealed the victory with seven seconds remaining.
Islanders Crackers
The Islanders have to feel like they caught a break facing the Flyers in the second round. Philadelphia was not one of the top teams in the East during the regular season, but they earned the number one seed thanks to the altered restart rules. New York could have been facing Tampa Bay or Boston in this spot.
Offense Still Inconsistent For New York
The New York Islanders are still looking for a more consistent offensive attack if they keep up this postseason run. New York has had some big scoring games in the postseason, but they have also had some nights struggling to score.
The Islanders scored just 2.78 goals per game this season, and that won’t cut it as they get further in the playoffs. Their defense has been solid, but it takes timely goal scoring to advance.
Josh Bailey leads the Islanders with ten total points in these playoffs, and Anthony Beauvillier leads the team with six goals.
Islanders Big Underdogs in Eastern Conference
The final four teams are set in the Eastern Conference, and the New York Islanders aren’t getting much of a chance to win the Conference. FanDuel Sportsbook has the Islanders at +380 to win the Eastern Conference, which is the worst odds out of the four teams.
FanDuel has the Tampa Bay Lightning as the favorites at +190, and the Boston Bruins are next on the list at +220. The Philadelphia Flyers are the top seed in the West, but they are listed at just +270 to win the Conference and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Western Conference Favored to Win Stanley Cup
During the regular season, the Eastern Conference was considered to have the best teams in the league. That has changed during the restart, and a pair of Western Conference teams now have the best odds to win the
Stanley Cup.
Crackstreams Flyers Islanders
The Vegas Golden Knights are currently the betting favorite to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup, with odds set at +350. The Golden Knights dispatched the Chicago Blackhawks in just five games in the first round.
The Colorado Avalanche are second on the list at +390, and the Avs got past the Arizona Coyotes in the first round. These two teams are the top seeds in the Western Conference.
Islanders Crack
The Tampa Bay Lightning (+440) and the Boston Bruins (+550) are next on the list in terms of Stanley Cup title contenders, and they both represent the Eastern Conference. These two teams have both seen their odds lengthen as the playoffs have been underway.