New York Islanders Five Keys To Win Series vs Carolina Hurricanes

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 10: Anthony Beauvillier #18 of the New York the Pittsburgh Penguins and is joined by Mathew Barzal #13 and Josh Bailey #12 of the New York Islanders at NYCB Live at the Nassau Coliseum on December 10, 2018 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JANUARY 08: Brock Nelson #29 of the New York Islanders celebrates a goal against Curtis McElhinney #35 of the Carolina Hurricanes at NYCB Live at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 08, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Score first

Along with taking advantage in the first period the New York Islanders need to get on the board first. I know that doesn’t sound like the most earth-shattering analysis.

Every pre-game analysis talks about scoring the first goal. It’s low-hanging fruit in the hockey analysis game. Scoring first puts that team in position to win before its opponent.

But when you look at the Carolina Hurricanes results after allowing the first goal in the playoffs, there’s a reason to make this a key for the Islanders.

When the Hurricanes don’t score first they don’t typically win. In their first-round series against the Washington Capitals, they had three losses when the Capitals scored first.

If the Islanders can get on the board first they’ll put themselves in a position to take the game and potentially the series.