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New York Islanders: Looking Back On 25 Predictions For 2018-2019

By Matt O'Leary
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: The New York Islanders celebrate their victory over 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)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: The New York Islanders celebrate their victory over 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) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 30: Casey Cizikas #53 of the New York Islanders skates against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on November 30, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Penguins 5-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The Good

We’ll start with the good because there are a lot fewer good takes. If you want to read the entire thing you can check out my 25 preseason takes here.

Robin Lehner will have a .918 save percentage or higher

That’s a hit! He was coming off a season with a .908 save percentage, a .918, or roughly league average, seemed like a fair expectation. He finished the season with a .930 save percentage.

Devon Toews is a top-four defender by season’s end

While the Toews – Mayfield pair is technically the third pair, I don’t think you could argue that Toews isn’t one of the Islanders four best defenseman. I think I’d go Pulock, Boychuk, Toews, Pelech, Leddy, Mayfield in that order.

Isles allow less than 250 goals

Another winner! The Isles allowed the most goals in 2017-2018 with 296. To take off nearly 50 goals would’ve been impressive. They allowed 196 goals, exactly 100 less than last year. Unreal.

Isles PK is at 80 percent

Okay, they finished at 79.9 percent but that’s pretty darn close I’m giving myself that one.

Martin – Cizikas – Clutterbuck reunion is effective

This was probably the Islanders most consistent line all year. They were great and it was really no surprise.

5 Islanders will finish with over 50 points

Okay, only four did but I’m counting it. Brock Nelson’s surprise 50 point season is what saves it for me. How was I supposed to know Jordan Eberle was going MIA!

Cizikas has a career year

This might be my best one. He finished 20 goals and 33 points. Both were the highest total of his career to date.

Ladd plays less than 60 games

He was at 78 and 73 in his first two years with the Islanders but you had to know the injuries were coming. He finished with 26 games.

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