New York Islanders Five Keys To Win Series vs Carolina Hurricanes

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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – APRIL 10: (l-r) Adam Pelech #3 and Josh Bailey #12 of the New York Islanders celebrate Bailey’s game winning overtime goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on April 10, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Penguins 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Take Advantage in the First Period

Across all three periods during the playoffs, the Carolina Hurricane is the weakest in the first period. In their seven-game series against the Capitals, they gave up ten goals in the first period.

Compare that to the four they’ve given up in second periods, and three in third periods and it’s clear. The Hurricanes have been at their weakest in the first period of the playoffs so far.

Thankfully, the Islanders have been at their strongest in the first period during the playoffs. In their four-game sweep of the Penguins, they scored six of their 13 goals in the first period. (To be fair, the Isles also scored six in the third period.)

The dichotomy between how many goals the Hurricanes give up in the first and the number of goals the Islanders score in the first has to be taken advantage of.

If the Islanders are looking for a gap in the Hurricanes game, a place where they can have the best return or exert the most damage, its in the opening 20 minutes of a game.

Why the Hurricanes leak goals in the first period doesn’t matter. The fact of the matter is that they do, and the Islanders need to take full advantage of that fact.

I’m sure Barry Trotz will have seen that trend and already highlighted it to his team. He did the same thing against the Tampa Bay Lightning back in January when the Islanders won 5-1. Three quick goals in the opening frame and that was it. Barry found his window, he exploited it and got the two points.

If his team can exploit that Hurricanes weakness in the first 20 during this series, they’ll put themselves in a good place to win.