New York Islanders NHL Playoff Guide: Dont Cheer These Teams

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May 8, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders goalie Thomas Greiss (1) and defenseman Calvin de Haan (44) talk against the Tampa Bay Lightning in game five of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s the playoffs and the New York Islanders aren’t part of the yearly ritual. Whatever reason you want to use, we aren’t there. Incase you found yourself cheering for another team, here’s a compendium why you shouldn’t.

I’ll be honest I hate thinking of New York Islanders fans cheering for another team when we aren’t in the mix. We aren’t the biggest bunch in the NHL so I cringe at the thought of a few fans making the jump to another fanbase full-time.

I get it. We all love hockey and in order to make these games in any way enjoyable we need to construct some sort of drama by cheering for a team we’ve just connected to, for whatever reason.

They might be your actual hometown team. Maybe there’s a player on the roster that shares your birthday. Or maybe it’s the last Canadian team and as a patriotic Canuck you feel like it’s your duty to cheer them on. Well you don’t.

Don’t get me wrong. Watch the games. Watch all of them! But you don’t need a false narrative to make it interesting. As a neutral the game is designed for you.

Think about it. Every game has an average of 60 shots on net. There’s an average of 50 hits per game between the two teams. And, more importantly 5.4 goals per game (2016-17 regular season).

I love when the Isles are the recipients of bandwagon fans, but not a big fan when the shoes on the other foot.

So to prevent any of that from happening here’s a reason why you, an Isles fan shouldn’t be cheering for any of the 16 teams in this, the 2017 NHL playoffs.