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New York Islanders Three Reasons to Be Excited For Playoffs

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 09: Ryan Pulock #6 of the New York Islanders celebrates his game winning goal at 2:23 of overtime against the Colorado Avalanche at the Barclays Center on February 09, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Avalanche 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 09: Ryan Pulock #6 of the New York Islanders celebrates his game winning goal at 2:23 of overtime against the Colorado Avalanche at the Barclays Center on February 09, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Avalanche 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – MARCH 24: Head coach Barry Trotz works his 1600th NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at the NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on March 24, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders shut-out the Coyotes 2-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – MARCH 24: Head coach Barry Trotz works his 1600th NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at the NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on March 24, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders shut-out the Coyotes 2-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

They’ll Make the Darn Thing

I know they haven’t yet actually made the playoffs, but they’d have to lose all four of their remaining games. That’s something they haven’t done all year. Their longest losing streak was three games at the beginning of November.

The Islanders just need to win one more game and they’re in.

Again, the New York Islanders weren’t supposed to be here. This was obviously a desired result by Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz, but you can’t say they planned for this season to go as well as it did.

The Islanders were just supposed to be competitive. Make a good account for themselves and play hard. They did exactly that, but they couldn’t stop winning. A great problem to have for a new GM on a team that’s going through a transition.

Winning makes everything easier in sports, including rebuilding a team.

Fans should be excited that their team is one of 16 that made it to the postseason. The Islanders held a winning record in the regular season to earn a spot in the playoffs. And they did it by playing strong structured hockey.

The lessons the Islanders learned as they wrap up this season will be useful to them for the remainder of their careers. It shouldn’t be understated how important this season will be in reshaping the New York Islanders both this year and in those to come.

That might sound kinda-hyperbolic, and it certainly is, but that’s what’s exciting about making the playoffs. It means that in year one, Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz were able to lay the groundwork for a winning culture.

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