The NHL postseason always has its surprises and the 2019 version was anything less than utterly shocking.
This matchup should be just as entertaining as it pits the New York Islanders against the Carolina Hurricanes, two teams who surprised the NHL in the regular season and the postseason, respectively,
Probably the most interesting aspect will be to see how the teams play in Game 1. The Islanders have been off since April 16 following a sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins while the Blue Jackets wrapped up a grueling seven-game series with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday — in double overtime.
"We've tried to do our best to stay in game shape and game situations in practice," noted Islanders winger Jordan Eberle. "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."
SN STAFF PREDICTIONS:
Eastern Conference | Western Conference | Stanley Cup
"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," Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour told reporters after Game 7 on Wednesday. "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 Islanders and Hurricanes now turn their sights to something they haven't done in 10 and 26 years, respectively, and that is play in the Eastern Conference finals.
New York Islanders (-140) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (+120): Schedule, breakdown, prediction
| Date | Matchup | Time (TV channel) |
| April 26 | Game 1 at New York | 7 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SN, CBC, TVA) |
| April 28 | Game 2 at New York | 3 p.m. ET (NBC, SN, CBC, TVA) |
| May 1 | Game 3 at Carolina | 7 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SN, CBC, TVA) |
| May 3 | Game 4 at Carolina | 7 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SN, CBC, TVA) |
| *May 5 | Game 5 at New York | TBD |
| *May 7 | Game 6 at Carolina | TBD |
| *May 8 | Game 7 at New York | TBD |
(*if necessary)
Season series
The Islanders dominated the season series as they won three of four games in the matchup. However, in every game, they were backstopped by Thomas Griess and not current No. 1, Robin Lehner. Will Barry Trotz turn to Greiss in the second round? Lehner (2.13 goals-against average, .930 save percentage) and Greiss (2.28 GAA and .927 save percentage) did have comparable stats during their William M. Jennings Trophy campaign.
The Islanders head coach has committed to Lehner, who is 0-4-0 in his career against Carolina with a 4.25 GAA and .885 save percentage — not great numbers, especially when you compare it to Greiss who posted a 1.76 GAA and .949 save percentage this season. Needless to say, Trotz will keep Lehner on a short leash in this series.
| DATE | ROAD | HOME | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 4 | Islanders | Hurricanes | NYI, 2-1 (OT) |
| Oct. 28 | Islanders | Hurricanes | NYI, 2-1 |
| Nov. 24 | Hurricanes | Islanders | NYI, 4-1 |
| Jan. 8 | Hurricanes | Islanders | CAR, 4-3 |
Offense
If you're expecting a high-scoring contest night in and night out from these two teams, you may want to flip the channel. Both teams were situated in the bottom half of the NHL during the regular season in GF/GP. Carolina averaged 2.96 GF/GP (16th) and the Islanders were at 2.72 (22nd). In the postseason thus far, both of their output increased; 3.00 for Carolina and 3.50 for the Islanders.
The line of Anders Lee, Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle wreaked havoc on the Penguins in the four-game sweep as they combined for 14 points with Eberle potting four goals, along with two assists, and Barzal notching five helpers. But this is a roster that rolls four lines and the second line of Josh Bailey, Brock Nelson and Tom Kuhnhackl had six goals.
Like Trotz, Rod Brind'Amour also rolls four lines and has scoring capabilities up and down his roster. Third-liner Warren Foegele leads the squad with four goals in the postseason with second-line center Jordan Staal tied with Foegele and defenseman Dougie Hamilton with six points. The one thing that could factor in for Carolina is its defense as the blueliners have stepped up on the scoresheet in the playoffs. Defenseman Jaccob Slavin leads the team in points with nine assists and Hamilton has three goals and three assists.
Young star Andrei Svechnikov is a game-time decision and could add an offensive boost to the Canes roster while the Islanders are expected to have grinder Cal Clutterbuck back in action.
Edge: Even.
Defense
The Islanders, yep the New York Islanders, were the best defensive team in the NHL (2.33 goals-against average) during the regular season — and have continued their superior play in their own end in the playoffs (1.50 GAA). Quick reminder, they held the Penguins' high-powered offense, which includes Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel, to just six goals in four games — three of those in Game 1.
It'll be interesting to see how the squad does without veteran blueliner Nick Leddy, who is expected to miss the entire series with a lower-body injury. Thomas Hickey, who was held to 40 games this season due to his own injury issues, only played in eight games since the middle of December and once since March 21.
For Carolina, their defense was pretty during the regular season as well finishing with a 2.70 GAA and is now 2.86 in the postseason. The top pairing of Slavin and Hamilton are a plus-7 through seven playoff games, a solid numbering considering they faced the Capitals in the first round.
Edge: New York Islanders
Goaltending
What can you say about Robin Lehner? The New York Islanders put their faith in the 2019 Vezina Trophy finalist, and he has paid them back tenfold. While he did split time with Greiss, the playoffs appear to be Lehner's domain. He was brilliant against the Penguins posting a 1.47 GAA and .956 save percentage while stopping 130 of 136 shots. He success is the Islanders success and the 27-year-old, in his first playoff since 2013, is looking to go far. However, if he does falter, Greiss is more than capable of stepping in.
Across the way is another journeyman in Petr Mrazek. The former Red Wing and Flyer had a 2.54 GAA and .899 save percentage stopping 170 of 189 shots against the Capitals in seven games. Not great numbers, but he was facing Washington; however, when you consider Lehner saw a similar high-offense team, Mrazek will need to do better in the second round if he wants to outlast Lehner.
Edge: Islanders.
Special teams
Special teams were not necessarily the forte of either club in the regular season, although the Hurricanes did have a top-10 penalty kill. In the first round, both teams power plays struggled at 15.4 percent for New York and 12.0 percent effectiveness for Carolina. But the Islanders have owned the penalty kill posting a 90.9 percent effectiveness when down a man compared to Carolina's 75.
Both teams have guys that are creative and can utilize the extra space when on the man advantage along with players, such as Sebastian Aho, who can score while shorthanded. The teams will need to be patient and effective as special teams could have a big impact on deciding the series.
Edge: Even
Key players to watch
Mathew Barzal (NYI) — The reigning Calder Trophy winner showed brilliance during the first round against Pittsburgh — it was his move to the net, and just miss, that set up Josh Bailey's overtime winner in Game 1. However, the young superstar does not have a goal in the playoffs. As they move deeper into the spring, the Islanders will need him to step up his game and in eight career games against Carolina, he has seven points (goal, six assists).
Warren Foegele (CAR) — In his first full season this year, the winger had 15 points in 77 games (10 goals, five assists); in the postseason he has six in seven games (four goals, two assists). Foegele has become an x-factor. He had an assist during the season series but considering he entered the playoffs with a goal in each of the last two games of the season, and his point total thus far in the playoffs, the 23-year-old is definitely rolling.
Islanders vs. Hurricanes playoff history
This is the first time in NHL history these two teams will meet in the playoffs.Last five playoff appearances
New York Islanders
| YEAR | FINISH |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Lost in second round to TB in five games |
| 2015 | Lost in first round to WSH in seven games |
| 2013 | Lost in conference quarterfinal to PIT in six games |
| 2007 | Lost in conference quarterfinal to BUF in five games |
| 2004 | Lost in conference quarterfinal to TB in five games |
Carolina Hurricanes
| YEAR | FINISH |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Lost in conference final to PIT in four games |
| 2006 | Won Stanley Cup |
| 2002 | Lost in Stanley Cup Final to DET in five games |
| 2001 | Lost in conference quarterfinal to NJD in six games |
| 1999 | Lost in conference quarterfinal to BOS in six games |
Islanders vs. Hurricanes prediction
Carolina will give New York a scare but will run out of gas.
Islanders in 6.