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New York Islanders Five Bold Predictions for Rest of 2018-19 Season

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 18: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on December 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Islanders defeated the Coyotes 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 18: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on December 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Islanders defeated the Coyotes 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JANUARY 03: Devon Toews #25 of the New York Islanders celebrates his overtime game winning goal with Mathew Barzal #13 against the Chicago Blackhawksduring their game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 03, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Win a Playoff Round

They have to make the playoffs for this to happen, I know. But at the moment there’s no reason to believe that they can’t make it. At the time of writing, before playing the Chicago Blackhawks at the Nassau Coliseum, the Islanders are a point back of the Montreal Canadiens for the final wildcard spot with two games in hand.

With the form they’re in the Islanders are a lock to win at least one of those two games in hand and leapfrog the Montreal Canadiens.

Once in the playoffs. the New York Islanders have the structure and goaltending to steal a round.

Barry Trotz has this team executing his plan flawlessly. They’ve taken down teams much more talented than themselves because of how they’ve been able to stick to Trotz’s game plan. Talent generally finds a way to succeed, but then you have to factor in the Islanders red-hot goaltending situation.

Robin Lehner is arguably the best goalie in the league this season. In 19 games played he holds a 2.13 GAA and a .929SV%. He ranks at the top of the league in both categories. That’s the type of X-factor that can steal an early playoff round.

And even if Robin Lehner proves fallible in the playoffs, the Isles have Thomas Greiss in relief. A goalie who’s done the same sort of task before and currently sports a 2.62GAA and a 0.917SV%.

Say what you will about where the Islanders should be on paper, but where they are now you can see them stealing a playoff round.

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