New York Islanders Five Reasons They Won The First Round

Depth Scoring

We already know how good Jordan Eberle was in the first round with his four goals and two assists. We also know how good Mat Barzal was with his five helpers in the series. But what typically goes unnoticed is how some lower on the depth chart have put up points.

The third line of Valtteri Filppula, Leo Komarov, and Anthony Beauvillier put up a combined eight points in the Islanders first round. Just to compare, the Penguins top guns of Sidney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin, Phil Kessel, and Jake Guentzel scored a combined seven points.

That’s the Penguins four best forwards vs. the Islanders third line. And the third line wins.

Going into the playoffs the one worry for the New York Islanders was their offense. But against the Penguins, the Islanders were able to get production out of every single line.

That’s a huge bonus as they head to the second round. Whoever they face in the next round will have to worry about the Islanders top line of Barzal, Eberle, and Lee, but the Isles have two other lines that can put up points.

The Penguins didn’t know how to handle it and they were sent packing in four games.

Going into the second round the Islanders have absolutely everything going for them. They have a hot goalie, they play solid defense, and they’re getting contributions from everywhere on the ice. Lookout Washington or Carolina.