Get ready for a complete clash of styles in this Eastern Conference final. The Tampa Bay Lightning who have a myriad of speed and skill will take on a brick wall in the form of the New York Islanders. The Islanders fought off the Flyers in Game seven last week despite holding a 3-1 series lead. They are the last team standing from the round robin qualifying round.
Islanders Preview
The Islanders have knocked off the number three and one seeds on their way to their first Eastern Conference final appearance since 1993. Coach Barry Trotz has done an absolutely remarkable job. They play a boring brand of hockey on the surface, but it requires incredible discipline and structure. They are extremely sound defensively, lock down opposing team’s top lines, and have a knack to counterstrike at the perfect time.
Their forwards have done it by committee; Josh Bailey leads the way with 17 points but they have another five forwards with nine points or more in postseason play. Their fourth line is playing at a really high level as well. They don’t have much point production from their defensemen but that’s not what the Islanders do as they’re a sound group that doesn’t like to compromise their defense for offense.
Their one weak spot has been goaltending as Semyon Varlamov allowed nine goals on 63 shots in their Games five and six losses to Philadelphia. Backup Thomas Greiss came in relief for his first career Game seven start and pulled out a shutout. It appears to be his job to lose at the moment; each has proved to be capable at times but may not necessarily steal a game for the Islanders against someone the caliber of the Lightning.
Lightning Preview
The Lightning have a chance to finally overcome their playoff misfortunes and hoist their first Stanley Cup since 2004. This will be their fourth appearance in the Eastern Conference finals in the last six years. Their franchise is a constant of excellence each year but they just haven’t seemed to quite get over the hump yet. They overcame previous demons in the first round as they put away the Blue Jackets in five games, and won four straight to beat Boston in a gentleman’s sweep in round two.
It is hard to find any weak points with the Lightning, even without Steven Stamkos. Brayden Point has emerged as one of the league’s upcoming superstars, leading the Lightning with 18 points followed by Nikita Kucherov’s 16 points.
Victor Hedman, one of the league’s premier defensemen, has produced in a big way with 9 points and averaging 26 minutes a contest. In net, the Lightning have the best goaltender left in the entire playoffs in Andrei Vasilevsky who has put up ridiculous playoff numbers (1.91 GAA with a .933 SV%).
Matchup
The Lightning are big, fast, skilled, and experienced. And make no mistake, they are on a mission as they were the laughing stock of the postseason last year after getting swept by Columbus in the first round. The Islanders have had a ridiculous playoff run up to this point and Trotz has proven he is far and away the best coach in the game at the moment. But the Isles haven’t faced anyone with the depth and firepower of the Lightning.
The Islanders haven’t shown the consistency and stability at goalie to steal a game or two to really have a shot here against Tampa. Going into their fourth round of play and a taxing seven game series, fatigue will be a major factor for the Islanders. Trotz will keep it competitive but expect the Lightning to run away with this series.
Lightning in 5
