Eyes On Isles
Fansided

Islanders: Three reasons to be hopeful for playoff run

By Michel Anderson

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MARCH 14: Anthony Beauvillier #18 of the New York Islanders juggles the puck during warm-ups prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 14, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MARCH 14: Anthony Beauvillier #18 of the New York Islanders juggles the puck during warm-ups prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 14, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
New York Islanders
New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz (Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports) /

Done it Before

Experience counts for a lot when it comes to the playoffs. Since 2018-19 only four teams have more playoff experience than the Islanders. Only one of those teams are in the East and that’s the Boston Bruins.

The way this division is shaping, the Islanders won’t have to face the Bruins until the second round. Assuming they get past the first round of course.

Which is something they’ve done twice over the last two years.

And this isn’t the first time the Islanders essentially limp their way into the postseason.

In 2018-19 the Islanders went a full 0.500 (7-7-0) with a -8 goal differential in the month of April before a Winnipeg Jets away game. That 5-4 win over the Jets, fueled by three goals in the final 12 minutes (two from Jordan Eberle) that totally turned their season around.

They made it to the second round that year.

In 2019-20, if not for a pandemic the Islanders weren’t headed towards a playoff position. Over the last 14 games, the Isles went 3-7-4 with a -13 goal differential.

They went to the Eastern Conference Finals that season.

Look, the run their on right now isn’t good, but if Barry isn’t too worried nor should we.

BEARDS

We all know that guys like Kyle Palmieri and Nick Leddy draw all of their power from their beards. The fact that they can’t grow one in the regular season is ridiculous. But, in the playoffs, all rules are off when it comes to facial hair.

That means, the second the final whistle goes on May 10th, the razors go in the trash can for the summer.

I know this is a silly reason, but at this point, I think we’ll all back some silly superstitious thing like beards if it means the Islanders will get back to playing Islander hockey again.

Home/Editorials