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Islanders 4 Games out West is a Make or Break Road Trip

ByKieran Hurley|
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 10: Anthony Beauvillier #18 of the New York Islanders celebrates his first goal during the first period against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on February 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 10: Anthony Beauvillier #18 of the New York Islanders celebrates his first goal during the first period against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on February 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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New York Islanders
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JANUARY 06: Matt Martin #17 of the New York Islanders checks Matt Calvert #11 of the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on January 06, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders shut-out to Avalanche 1-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Colorado Avalanche

The Islanders save the best for last on this road trip!

In what may be the toughest matchup of this road trip, the Islanders finish up on February 19th, at 10 p.m. eastern, in the high altitude against the Colorado Avalanche.

The Islanders and Avalanche are very similar. In fact, as of today, they both have the same record of 33-16-6. The only difference is Colorado’s record has them in second place in the Central Division and one point behind the Blues.

The last time these teams met was on January 6th, in an extremely tight game. The only goal was scored 6:34 seconds into the third period by Anders Lee. Semyon Varlamov got the shutout in the Islanders 1-0 win.

The Avalanche are led by one of the top first lines in hockey featuring Andre Burakovsky, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. These three players account for three of the top four point scorers on the Avalanche.

The other thing the Islanders have to be wary of is the Avalanche’s top defensive pair, which some may say is the best in hockey. This d-pair consists of rookie sensation Cale Makar and Ryan Graves. Makar has 12 goals and 32 assists and a +10 plus/minus, while Graves has eight goals and 15 assists and a +41 plus/minus. Yes, Graves has a +41 plus/minus!

If the Islanders want to have success in this game, they must shut down Colorado’s top line and d-pair and keep them off the board.

Isles Country: How do you think the Islanders will finish this road trip? Leave Your Comments Below!

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