Islanders incredible record after a loss in 2020 playoffs

After a loss in the 2020 playoffs, the New York Islanders hold a 3-0 record. And it gets better from there.

How a team answers after a loss tells a lot about its character. How they respond shows their intent and how serious they are to rectify their wrongs. After picking up a loss in these playoffs, the New York Islanders hold a 3-0 record.

In fact, the New York Islanders don’t just win after a loss in this postseason. They dominate their opponents. Here’s a recount of each game following a loss in these playoffs, and why we shouldn’t be worried as the Islanders head to Game 6 against the Flyers.

Game 4 vs Florida Panthers: 5-1 win

The Panthers found success on the power play in Game 3 converting on two of five attempts and quickly going up 3-1 within two minutes of the third period. Sergei Bobrovsky, who wasn’t very good all year, played one of his better games in the postseason. We thought the two-time Vezina winner had awoken.

Cue Game 4.

Anthony Beauvillier put up two goals in the second half of the first period. Brock Nelson, Mathew Barzal, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau would pile in on the fun as the Islanders ran up a 5-1 scoreline. The Panthers went 1-for-5 on the PP and Sergei Bobrovsky looked absolutely ordinary with a 0.892SV%.

It was a dominant performance by the Islanders who asserted that Game 3 was a fluke.

Game 5 vs Washington Capitals: 4-0 win

Again, the Islanders failed to get the sweep. In Game 4, the Isles ran to an early 2-0 lead against the Caps. Todd Reirden called a timeout to rally his troops and rally they did. The Capitals began a two-plus period assault on the Islanders that resulted in a 3-2 win.

In Game 4, the Isles got bested by an opponent who been in this situation before. They ramped up the physicality in the game as they fought for their playoff lives and the Isles were powerless to stop them.

With a minor tweak to the roster for Game 5 – Trotz brought in Ross Johnston over Derick Brassard – the Isles thoroughly embarrassed the 2018 Stanley Cup Champs in a 4-0 shutout loss.

The win was so convincing that many thought the Capitals just weren’t trying and Todd Reirden was fired just a few days after being his team was eliminated by the Isles.

Game 3 vs Philadelphia Flyers: 3-1 win

Within 15 minutes in Game 2 in the Isles second-round series versus the Philadelphia Flyers, the Flyers were up 3-0. Semyon Varlamov, who was rock solid for most of the postseason was pulled for Thomas Greiss.

Thankfully, the Islanders were able to come back in that game and push for OT, but they’d fall short after a Philippe Myers shot from the point found twine.

Three nights later Semyon Varlamov was back between the pipes, and ready to prove Game 2 was a fluke. Varlamov stopped 26 of the 27 shots he faced for a 0.963SV%. Meanwhile, with goals from depth players like Matt Martin and Leo Komarov, the Islanders pulled a 3-1 win.

Numbers

After a loss in the playoffs, the Islanders hold a 3-0 record. You already knew that. But they also hold a +10 goal differential in those games.

And it gets better than that.

We know how Barry Trotz preaches quality over quantity. So winning the Corsi-battle isn’t Barry’s thing. But winning the high-danger and xGF battle certain is. After a loss in the playoffs, the Islanders have a 58.49 HDCF% and a 56.23 xGF% (at 5on5 of course).

After yet another 4-3 OT loss in this series against the Philadelphia Flyers this time in Game 5, the Islanders will look to bounce back in Game 6 on Thursday and get a ‘W’ to book their ticket to the Conference Finals.

Based on how they’ve played after their other losses in the playoffs this year, I’m not worried that hey can get the job done.