New York Islanders Three Opponents They Should Want In Playoffs

Toronto Maple Leafs

Seriously, the Toronto Maple Leafs would be an ideal opponent for the New York Islanders in the first round of the playoffs. Now, getting that match up will require one of the Isles or Leafs to fall into the wildcard spots. But that isn’t impossible.

The Islanders are only six points out of the wildcard while Toronto is eight points above the wildcard. It’s possible that one of the two slips a bit and ends up playing an interdivisional series. Maybe not likely, but possible.

We know how good the Isles are against the Toronto Maple Leafs this season. In two games against the Buds, the Isles have outscored them 10-1. That’s domination, holmes.

The Maple Leafs were crowned as the presumptive Stanley Cup Champions in July when they acquired John Tavares, while the Islanders were seen as nothing but fodder for the rest of the league.

My how the tables have turned. Tampa is absolutely steamrolling the league and is now the defacto champs. While the Leafs hold on to third best in their conference. Meanwhile, the Islanders sit at the top of a Metropolitan Division that holds the Stanley Cup Champions from the last three seasons.

The Maple Leafs are still a good team, but the Islanders have stacked up well against them this season. Looking at how many high-danger chances they let up it’s clear as to why.

In the high-danger chances department, the Leafs have allowed the eleventh most in the NHL at 605. That plays right into what the Islanders try to do on a nightly basis.

Also, how fun would a series against the Toronto Maple Leafs be? Remember what happened on February 28th? Didn’t it feel like a playoff atmosphere? Imagine ratcheting the drama up to actual playoff levels?

Bring on the Toronto Maple Leafs in the post-season. The Islanders have been stellar against them in the regular season, they can do it in the post-season.