New York Islanders Bracket Challenge Arbour Division

Arbour Division Matchup #4

(4) Butch Goring v. (5) John Tavares

Call it recency bias. Call it different eras. Call it whatever you will, but John Tavares moves onto the next round after knocking out Butch Goring in a not so close contest.

Tavares takes the round with 82% of the vote to Goring’s 18%.

Butch has all the accolades you could possibly want in this contents. He’s got the four cups. He’s got four individual awards including a Lady Byng, a Masterton, and a Conn Smythe. Heck, he was even dubbed “the Missing Piece” when he was traded to the Isles from the Kings.

Tavares, in his eight years in the NHL, has none of that; no cups and no trophies. But Tavares is that guy. That quintessential player to the Islanders. Without him the Isles are nothing.

Tavares may not have the “generational talent” monicker of a Sidney Crosby or a Connor McDavid. But he’s right there. Knocking on the door.

The Islanders and Tavares are linked and won’t ever be torn apart. And fans can feel that.

Next: Isles Bracket Challenge: Torrey Division

Moving on to the next round, here are your matchups:

(1) Mike Bossy v. (2) Clark Gillies

(6) Bobby Nystrom v. (5) John Tavares