New York Islanders Three Opponents They Should Want In Playoffs

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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 01: Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders handles bench duties against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on December 01, 2018 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders were playing in their first regular season game since April of 2015 when the team moved their home games to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Islanders defeated the Blue Jackets 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

With 85 points in 67 games, the New York Islanders will almost certainly be heading to the playoffs. Who should the Isles want to face in round one of the playoffs?

The New York Islanders are almost certainly going to the playoffs this season. With 85 points they’re in first place in the Metropolitan Division. Maybe they don’t end the season there, but they’re definitely going to make the postseason.

It’s only been two years without playoff hockey for the Islanders, but it’s been two years too long.

With a “hard to play” against style that sacrifices puck possession for creating more high-danger chances, the Islanders are one of the top teams in the league.

As teams still jockey for positioning in the Eastern Conference, the Islanders could face any of a number of teams from within their own division or from the Atlantic Division.

But who should the Islanders want to face? What teams play a style that would fall right into the New York Islanders hands in the first round of the post-season?

Ideally, that first-round playoff opponent allows teams to land a number of high-danger chances against. And maybe a team that the Islanders have been strong against in the regular season as well.

(PS: All high-danger chances for come from Natural Stat Trick.)