Stanley Cup Playoffs: New York Islanders versus Florida Panthers series preview

Series Prediction

This is an interesting series because the two teams have conflicting strengths. The series will be determined by which team can best take advantage of the other’s weaknesses. Pelech getting back for the Islanders is huge and it should help fix the Isles’ defensive issues that were beginning to show when the season ended in mid-March.

However, I like the Panthers to win in five games. Their offense is better than the Islanders and I’m still not sold the Isles can score enough to keep up with a team like Florida, even though the Panthers have a mediocre defense.

My gut tells me Bobrovsky’s going to have a huge series. The hiatus has given him the chance to clear his head. In my opinion, most of the problems he had this season were in his head. He beat himself up and he was trying to adjust to a new defensive system than the one he had with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Last year’s postseason proves Bobrovsky can step up. I think he will this year.

Florida’s bottom six can outscore New York’s bottom six. Honestly, I think that’s going to be the difference in this series. We all know the Panthers and Islanders’ top two lines will show up. But Florida has better depth, so I think they inch out a very close series win over the Isles to get revenge for 2016.