Whether It's the Bruins or Hurricanes, the Islanders Have a Challenge

Trying to pick a "preferred foe" for the New York Islanders in the first playoff round is like choosing between bad and worse.

Playing against the 2023 Bruins means that the Islanders would go up against one of the most dangerous outfits ever known in major league hockey. That automatically makes Boston the "worse" of the two.

Not that the Hurricanes are any bargain. As a matter of fact, back in October, The Hockey News Yearbook had Carolina pegged for first place in the Metropolitan Division with Cup odds at an appetizing 9/1.

Obviously, THN's experts underrated the Beantowners. Author Matt Kalman pegged them a lowly fifth -- yeah, fifth -- in the Atlantic Division with Cup odds at a ridiculously high 37/1.

The fact that Boston has left strong Atlantic Division opponents -- Tampa Bay and Toronto -- in the rearview mirror is a testimony to their utter superiority over the 82-game marathon.

Lane Lambert's coaching staff will be hard-pressed to cope with the Bruins' 'Big Three' which has terrorized enemy defenses this term.

David Pastrnak's 60 goals and 51 assists comes to a staggering 111 points in 81 games; with a plus-35 rating as the cherry on the cake.

Pesky Brad Marchand is at the top of his productive career. Over 72 games, he's 21-45-66 with a plus-28. He's a two-way force on the "Perfection Line" and the player you love to hate; unless he's on your team.

Then, there's the indomitable Patrice Bergeron who totaled 27-31-58 over 77 games; and a plus-34. "He's the best all-round forward in the league," says former NHL goalie Chico Resch, now a Devils radio analyst.

G.M. Don Sweeney crafted a formidable defense led by Long Island native Charlie McAvoy. But the real sleeper D-man is Hampus Lindholm who is the sixth leading scorer on the club (10-43_53) that also features solid blue-liners Brandon Carlo and Matt Grzelcyk.

Few expected the steady and exceptional goaltending that Linus UIllmark has displayed. He's headed for the Vezina Trophy for sure. A 1.89 goals against average and .938 % will do that.

By contrast, Carolina's record is less fancy but no less formidable. Injuries to top goalie Fred Andersen forced coach Rod Brind'Amour to employ backup Antti Raanta more than usual, but the vet has been up to the task. But if Andy is healthy, he'll start.

The Canes' best attackers are Martin Necas and Sebastian Aho along with offensive defender Brent Burns who played 81 games, good for 16-43-59 and a plus 16. As defensive D-men go. Jacob Slavin ranks with the NHL's best.

On paper at least, the Islanders should prefer the Canes. On the other hand, the Isles are at their best when underdogs. If they face Boston, they'll be the underdog under the underdog!

Rosner's Response: The New York Islanders have played a grueling style of hockey ever since Mathew Barzal went down with his long-term injury on Feb. 18.

That's not to say the Boston Bruins haven't had to grind en route to their historic finish or that the Carolina Hurricanes didn't have to overcome the critical loss of Andrei Svechnikov, one of their most prolific scorers, as well as the absence of Max Pacioretty.

But we all understand the kind of game that needs to be played in the postseason.

While New York may not have had the success that these two foes have had in 2022-23, if any team was physicality and mentally ready for the grind that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it's the New York Islanders. 

The Hurricanes are a much better matchup, as colleague Stan Fischler wrote above, there's no question about it. 

That being said, if the Islanders are going to do anything in the postseason, starting with getting out of round one, Ilya Sorokin is going to have to steal games. 

If he's on his game, the Islanders have the chance to upset anyone in the NHL. The key word there is chance because a 1-0 loss and a 5-0 loss all deal with the same issue and it's not the man between the pipes. 

The Islanders will also need to see Bo Horvat finish his chances at a significantly higher rate, and obviously, the return of Barzal, if it comes in the first round, should help him immensely. 

Given the lack of superstar forwards for New York, with Boston having a few, and Carolina, to me, having one of the more underrated players in the NHL in Sebastian Aho, the Islanders' power play has to be a weapon in the first round against either team, but specifically Boston.

The Bruins don't give teams time and space and are usually the ones on the attack for most of their games. So if the Islanders do get the man advantage, it has to come through. there's no if's, ands, or buts.