New York Islanders: First Round Of Playoffs To Be Held At Nassau Coliseum

The New York Islanders finally have their playoff situation figured out. The first round will be at Nassau Coliseum, beyond that is the Barclays Center.

Since the New York Islanders were in the mix for the playoffs, the conversation has been where will the home games be played? The Islanders have a rare issue, they have two arenas so they’re the only team that could be presented with this issue of where will the home games be.

Fans, rightfully so, wanted the home games to be played at the Nassau Coliseum, hoping that tomorrow might be the last game the Islanders every play at the Barclays Center. Islanders fans got their wish…kind of.

The Islanders announced that they will be playing the first round of the playoffs at the Nassau Coliseum. It’s nearly a foregone conclusion that the team will be playing in the playoffs, they have a 92.7 percent chance to make the playoffs as they currently sit in first place.

It’s after the first round that becomes the surprise. If the Isles move on past the first round, any remaining home games will be played in Brooklyn, at the Barclays Center.

One of the issues is Nassau Coliseum has an event taking place during the second round of the playoffs. From April 25 to April 28, the Coliseum is hosting Longines Masters of New York.

Originally, the thought was that maybe only the second round would be in Brooklyn or the Longines Masters event would be canceled. That isn’t the case. Here’s what the release had to say about the Coliseum:

"Should the team qualify for further rounds of the playoffs, any home Islanders games will take place at Barclays Center, reflecting that the Nassau Coliseum does not qualify as an NHL major league facility."

My question is what’s the difference between the first round and the second round? Why is it okay in one round but not in the next? That’s the most ridiculous thing that I’ve ever heard.

The Islanders and the NHL got this one wrong. They should’ve done everything in their power to get the Islanders home games at the Coliseum, with the hopes that the team would never step foot back in Brooklyn ever again after tomorrow.