Islanders Pose Real Threat
The New York Islanders exploded in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Washington Capitals to grab a 1-0 series lead. It may be premature to make bold statements such as the Islanders will be a real threat to the East, but if last night’s play is an example of what the New York team can bring to the playoffs than Washington just might be in trouble.
Wednesday night, the Islanders put on a performance similar to what fans were used to seeing in the first three quarters of the season. New York played fast and controlled hockey and held its opponents to single-digit shots in two of the three periods. Really, it was a dominant performance. The Islanders are playing against the famed Alex Ovechkin and the league’s best power play, but that didn’t seem to matter last night. Ovechkin did have eight shots, but none of them go past Jaroslav Halak and the Caps power play was stifled on both attempts in the game.
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Early in the season, the Islanders, through their play, made a statement to the other teams in the league: We are a threat. It was clear, with the addition of Johnny Boychuk, Nick Leddy and Halak that the Islanders were putting together a team that could go the distance. New York is no longer in its rebuilding stages and the Capitals must not treat the Islanders as if they still are. The Islanders have a great mix of young players and veterans who use their speed and hands to make opponents pay for their mistakes.
Watching Game 1, I was surprised by how the Islanders made everything look so easy. I knew they were a talented team, but I thought Washington, being on home ice, would dominant. Obviously, it was only one game and the Islanders need to win three more, but New York should be able to run with the confidence they gathered from last night’s victory.
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Eyes On Isles
I mentioned some of the Islanders players above, Boychuk, Leddy and Halak, all of who make this team that much better. The Bruins had to let Boychuk go for salary cap reasons—BIG mistake! He not only has a rocket of a shot and is an offensively minded defenseman, but he is a key factor on special teams units.
Leddy, another example of a team’s salary cap woes, landed with the Islanders when Chicago needed to make some room. Leddy is young, but knows how to defend against the league’s top players as well as contribute in the offensive zone. Both players have won Stanley Cups with their previous teams and bring much needed playoff experience to the Islanders.
Oct 23, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) and defenseman Nick Leddy (2) during the national anthems prior to the start of a game against the Boston Bruins period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Then there is Halak. I am still dumbfounded by the St. Louis Blues’ decision to trade the netminder. When the trade went down, the St. Louis Blues were at the top of the rankings and he was a major reason why. Halak then went to the Buffalo Sabres, but didn’t play a game for the team. He was immediately traded to the Capitals who then sent him to New York. Washington may be regretting that decision now.
Halak has been a tour de force for the Islanders and is certainly the better goaltender in this series. In terms of stats, Braden Holtby looks like the better goaltender; he has the better save percentage and goals-against average. But he’s not as established as Halak, who has more experience in the NHL and in high-pressure games. Halak has more fluidity to his motions and looks more comfortable than Holtby—well at least he did last night. In the playoffs, teams need a goalie that will stand on his head. With Halak, the Islanders have that.
With those three guys and their playoff experience, along with the Islanders top forwards—John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, and Frans Nielsen—and young players making their mark, the Islanders are in good shape.