They should be fired up being the playoffs and play like they did vs tampa and the Habs. They have experience so I think they will be ready
- Upstate_isles

I agree for the most part though those games were arguably just as important. They risked not being where they are now if they didn’t win them. If they can manage to take one on the road it would be a home run.

Islanders need an early lead in game 1. They need some confidence against the Canes. It's a different team but still enough players left from the last series against the Canes.
- ses111

We all wanted to play them rather then the bruins but I don’t think anyone thinks they are going to be an easy team to beat. They didn’t win the division for nothing.

We all wanted to play them rather then the bruins but I don’t think anyone thinks they are going to be an easy team to beat. They didn’t win the division for nothing.
- Cptmjl

Will not be easy at all.

Canes are second in the league in points and had a great run in the middle of the season. That said I think the devils are the better team but will their lack of experience hurt them?

I agree for the most part though those games were arguably just as important. They risked not being where they are now if they didn’t win them. If they can manage to take one on the road it would be a home run.
- Cptmjl

That would be amazing. I'm not as optimistic as you guys, but Sorokin gives us a chance each and every game.

Hopefully Barzal is fired up and ready to play.

That would be amazing. I'm not as optimistic as you guys, but Sorokin gives us a chance each and every game.

Hopefully Barzal is fired up and ready to play.
- JimmyP

Canes sputtered the last quarter of the season but the playoffs are a reset. That said they struggle to score

That would be amazing. I'm not as optimistic as you guys, but Sorokin gives us a chance each and every game.

Hopefully Barzal is fired up and ready to play.
- JimmyP

Yeah don’t get me wrong I just think we have a decent chance. If Barzal comes back playing at a high level quickly and Sorokin plays like he usually does we do. They just have to be firing on all cylinders. I’m hopeful they can do that but they fooled me quite a few times this season.

I'm looking at it this way. The Islanders are a better team now than they were those 2 ECF runs. Maybe older , but better.
Now you have Lee , Horvat, Fasching and Engvall replacing
Zajac, Leo, AB , and Bailey. Although Bailey put up some big numbers in those runs, he stinks now.
On D if Romanov is back and healthy he and Aho are at least even with Leddy and Greene.
And in goal , you have an established Vezina caliber goalie in Sorokin with Varly as a very capable back up instead of a rookie Sorokin backing up Varly.
So i like their chances, but they need Romanov back ASAP.

I'm looking at it this way. The Islanders are a better team now than they were those 2 ECF runs. Maybe older , but better.
Now you have Lee , Horvat, Fasching and Engvall replacing
Zajac, Leo, AB , and Bailey. Although Bailey put up some big numbers in those runs, he stinks now.
On D if Romanov is back and healthy he and Aho are at least even with Leddy and Greene.
And in goal , you have an established Vezina caliber goalie in Sorokin with Varly as a very capable back up instead of a rookie Sorokin backing up Varly.
So i like their chances, but they need Romanov back ASAP.
- chazpet

The problem is the defense as a whole and the structure was much better during those runs. Pulock was also much better. The current Islanders should be better on offense with Bo and if Barzal is healthy. Sorokin is better than Varly. This will be Sorokin's first run as the starter during the playoffs.

I'm looking at it this way. The Islanders are a better team now than they were those 2 ECF runs. Maybe older , but better.
Now you have Lee , Horvat, Fasching and Engvall replacing
Zajac, Leo, AB , and Bailey. Although Bailey put up some big numbers in those runs, he stinks now.
On D if Romanov is back and healthy he and Aho are at least even with Leddy and Greene.
And in goal , you have an established Vezina caliber goalie in Sorokin with Varly as a very capable back up instead of a rookie Sorokin backing up Varly.
So i like their chances, but they need Romanov back ASAP.
- chazpet

Do not be so quick to axe Bailey. I think Lambert will trot him out there over Homie

Experience wise Aho and Romanov are less battle tested then Leddy and Greene. I would have to say the edge would go to Leddy and Greene. Though I do like what Romanov brings. I also feel that Ahos offense does not out weigh his defensive liability.

Sorokin has to be the man period

If Isles win series I am thinking it is a 7 game series. Anything shorter goes to Canes.

The problem is the defense as a whole and the structure was much better during those runs. Pulock was also much better. The current Islanders should be better on offense with Bo and if Barzal is healthy. Sorokin is better than Varly. This will be Sorokin's first run as the starter during the playoffs.
- ses111

100%. We see glimpses of it now but it is far from consistent. They need to find a way to recapture that again. I’m sure lambert will attempt to mimic exactly what trotz did during those runs.

https://www.nhl.com/news/...=8e6d3961719e30e4&mi_sc=t
A lot of NHL.com staff members predict a first round victory for the Islanders. But a couple of them predict a Canes Stanley Cup victory. No one predicts the Isles make it to the Finals.

100%. We see glimpses of it now but it is far from consistent. They need to find a way to recapture that again. I’m sure lambert will attempt to mimic exactly what trotz did during those runs.
- Cptmjl

Can't be done. No Uncle Leo.

Can't be done. No Uncle Leo.
- JohnScammo

(frank)’er

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-staff-members-2023-stanley-cup-playoffs-1st-round-predictions/c-343570348?mi_u=3217698&mi_ecmp=6627713&mi_cmp=8e6d3961719e30e4&mi_sc=t
A lot of NHL staff members predict a first round victory for the Islanders. But a couple of them predict a Canes Stanley Cup victory. No one predicts the Isles make it to the Finals.
- JohnScammo

Can’t really blame them on that.

(frank)’er
- Cptmjl

Can’t really blame them on that.
- Cptmjl

The Rags have a better chance with all their firepower. The Devils-Rags first round match-up should be fun, but the Devils are probably too young and inexperienced, plus their goaltending is not as good.

100%. We see glimpses of it now but it is far from consistent. They need to find a way to recapture that again. I’m sure lambert will attempt to mimic exactly what trotz did during those runs.
- Cptmjl

Defense takes a lot of hard work and over 82 games guys aren't committed to it. Playoff time guys are giving 💯 so I'd expect to see them tighten it up

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-staff-members-2023-stanley-cup-playoffs-1st-round-predictions/c-343570348?mi_u=3217698&mi_ecmp=6627713&mi_cmp=8e6d3961719e30e4&mi_sc=t
A lot of NHL.com staff members predict a first round victory for the Islanders. But a couple of them predict a Canes Stanley Cup victory. No one predicts the Isles make it to the Finals.
- JohnScammo

Isles have a better chance to make the second round over the rangers but the rangers have a better chance to win the cup on money puck I think. They have no clue

Do not be so quick to axe Bailey. I think Lambert will trot him out there over Homie
- Nfdbulldawg[/b
Experience wise Aho and Romanov are less battle tested then Leddy and Greene. I would have to say the edge would go to Leddy and Greene. Though I do like what Romanov brings. I also feel that Ahos offense does not out weigh his defensive liability.

Sorokin has to be the man period

If Isles win series I am thinking it is a 7 game series. Anything shorter goes to Canes.

With Barzal back neither Bailey or Holmstrom will play???

100%. We see glimpses of it now but it is far from consistent. They need to find a way to recapture that again. I’m sure lambert will attempt to mimic exactly what trotz did during those runs.
- Cptmjl

I cannot believe what a non factor Pulock is with his offensive game. He has really disappointed. I think the players and coaches for the most part have not been on the same page in terms of the type of system to play.

Can't be done. No Uncle Leo.
- JohnScammo

No comment.

Vegas odds .
The Islanders are long shots to win cup. +4500.

No comment.
- ses111

No comment.
- ses111