Strong in goal, fortified with four diverse lines and solid defense pairings, the Isles know that they are underdogs against a team that has won three consecutive Metropolitan Division titles.
Who's afraid of the Cantankerous Hurricanes?
Certainly not the Islanders who open their playoff round in Raleigh on Monday!
Strong in goal, fortified with four diverse lines and solid defense pairings, the Isles know that they are underdogs against a team that has won three consecutive Metropolitan Division titles.
The Nassaumen also know that they have been continually underrated from October through today. So, what else is new?
"We've been counted out," said New York's scoring leader Brock Nelson, "yet we've fought through the adversity."
But this is a different kind of "count" If you please, call it the "Ace In The Goal"
What the Isles have is a major asset. Along with Boston's Linus Ullmark, Ilya Sorokin is one of the favorites to win the Vezina Trophy. And crack goaltending can win a series.
Although Carolina's goalkeeper Fred Andersen has playoff experience, he has been bedeviled with injuries. His absence last spring was what caused the Canes to lose their seven-game series with the Rangers.
There's also a double-debit in Raleigh. Significant Hurricanes forwards are out with injuries. Max Pacioretty is nursing a torn Achilles tendon while Andre Svechnikov is suffering knee woes.
Still, another advantage for coach Lane Lambert's crew is that -- for whatever reason -- historically the Islanders revel in their underdog role. Plus, they simply are energized over the fact that they won their way into the postseason.,
"Since the All-Star break we made a commitment to put ourselves in a position to make the playoffs," asserted captain Anders Lee, "and now we've got our foot in the door."
Not to be overlooked is the pure and simple fact that the Canes will be pushing hard to quickly shut that door on their Visitors in the opener. Certainly, the numbers covering the 82-game marathon testify to the Favorite's strength.
The Met Division-leading 52-21-9 (113 points) mark and .689 percentage fortify their role as favorites. Coach Rod Brind'Amour's club won ten more games than the Isles to finish 20 points higher than the boys from UBS.
They are a confident bunch, well-coached, and secure in the knowledge that they did not wind up on top courtesy of Lady Luck.
"My guys are as honest as they come," Brind'Amour insisted, "and they go out there and earn their way every night. That's the way we've got to get it done top to bottom. They just come to play.
"For us, it's a big accomplishment to finish on top after playing an 82-game season. But now we have bigger things that we want to accomplish."
Despite the twin losses of left wings Svechnikov and Pacioretty, the Hurricanes have a host of hotshot heroes up front. The likes of Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, Martin Necas, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi are constant threats. Jordan Staal remains one of the most effective captains the NHL has known.
I happen to have seen a few lesser -- but valuable -- Hurricanes. Seth Jarvis cut his puck teeth in Juniors with the Portland Winterhawks, a team I've seen a lot of over the years. Jarvis is an offensive demon.
Meanwhile, I watched Stefan Noesen with the Devils. He's a solid defensive forward. And, of course, there's ex-Rangers D-man Brady Skjei, who's put up good numbers (18-20-38) this year. Not far behind Brind'Amour has a beauty in Brent Pesce, 5-25-30.
Style-wise, the Islanders defenders will be challenged by a hard-charging, fast-moving team that counts on free-wheeling blueliners such as 38-year-old Brent Burns. Over 82 games the former San Jose Shark has been supreme.
Double B totaled 18-43 for 61 points and, despite his defensive shortcomings -- covered up by partner Jacob Slavin -- he's still at his attacking best.
"Burns is better than advertised," added Brind'Amour, "and, frankly, I don't know where we'd be without him."
The same could be said by rookie head coach Lambert about his top center -- with Mathew Barzal still out -- Brock Nelson. The franchise's leading scorer opened the playoff door for his club in the finale Wednesday night in Elmont.
Nelson not only scored the very key opening goal but then added a final touch with his third-period game-winner. Hence, Nelson's formidable offense will be vital for a team that finished with 243 goals compared with the Canes' total of 266.
The fact that Lambert has four well-balanced -- though not that potent -- lines is an asset. This is particularly so when one considers that the fourth unit, featuring Cal Clutterbuck, Matt Martin, and Casey Cizikas, has been together for years.
Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of the organization has been the manner in which it survived the injury storms; and not just the absence of Mat Barzal. Consider the following players who were absent due to wounds:
Kyle Palmieri, heading for a super season, was out for 27 games. Adam Pelech, arguably the club's best defenseman, missed 21 games, and Cal Clutterbuck, ace leader, and penalty-killer, missed 20 contests.
No less valuable have been boss Lou Lamoriello's late-season additions. Bo Horvat, Pierre Engvall, and Hudson Fasching each contributed to the successful homestretch run. Engvall is big, hard to get off the puck, and fast. Fasching has shown goal-scoring abilities that nobody ever expected.
New York's "Iffy Aspect" has to be its defense. When on their game -- not so last Monday in Washington -- Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech have become the blueline foundation.
Offensively, the defense lacks a Brent Burns, but power play quarterback Noah Dobson sure is looking like he's got similar offensive goods. Then again, Scott Mayfield has come on strong in that department and our Sebastian Aho -- no relation to the Canes' Aho -- is looking very much like a latter-day Tomas Jonsson who starred on two of the Dynasty Cup teams.
When Alexander Romanov went down with an injury, it created an opportunity for young, 6-4 Samuel Bolduc who the club had developed at Bridgeport. No question that Sam has been useful but a key blunder in the finale with Montreal forced Lambert to bench him for the third period.
There's plenty of experience up front. Zach Parise, Kyle Palmieri, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and Anders Lee know what the playoffs are all about. Then again, so does right-wing Josh Bailey. But, therein lies the problem.
Does Lambert go with Bailey as he did in Game 82 or does he go back to young Simon Holmstrom? (I'd go with the younger, faster Holmstrom and see what happens.)
When all is said and done, the Islanders package is filled with goodies:
* They showed in the homestretch that they can get the job finished.
* They fully earned their way into the postseason.
* The offensive leaders -- Lee, Nelson, Palmieri, Parise -- truly have led.
* Rebound-ability is part of the equation. When Barzal went down, the team didn't die; it rallied.
* Islanders hockey is built for the playoffs.
* Then there is the possibility of Mat Barzal's possible return. But only a possibility at this point in time.
"We fought through a lot of adversity this year," Lambert concluded. "I can't say enough good things about our players and what they've accomplished so far.
All in all, it's been gratifying."
There's hot playoff hockey ahead.
"We have a setting at the table," enthused Captain Lee.
Unfortunately -- for the first pair of games, at least -- the Canes are the hosts!