Team: 2018-19 New York Islanders

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 17, 2019

Published: Apr. 17, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Now that we've actually won Game 4, is it safe to "look ahead to the next series"? I mean, every Islander fan did at least a little bit after Game 3. I know I'm not the only one. But it's safe to admit it now, right?

1. Bruins

These guys don't really play a game at all like Pittsburgh. Sure, they have a high profile top line that the Isles can stymie to slow Boston's momentum, but other than that, this is a great defensive team that can play just as physically as the Isles do. While the Isles have the better defense structurally, the Isles didn't have the strongest offensive showing against a very average Penguins defense. I think it'd be a low scoring series, but Boston is the biggest threat to us this post season. The main reason the Isles couldn't be counted out of this series is the goalie match up. Rask has seen better years and isn't playing all that well. Lehner is probably the best goalie in the playoffs so far. I know Bob has had the most glamorous performance, but the Lehner has just had better numbers and has had a few crazy saves each game.

2. Capitals

The Caps have plenty of smart players on this roster, and among those who aren't as cerebral, they'll remember how Trotz' system played hockey. Sure, this mentality applies to the Isles, as they're coached by the Caps' old coach in Trotz, but it's still enough to make me a bit nervous. Guys like Carlson, Backstrom and Ovechkin are all going to remember what Trotz liked to do and act accordingly. Prepare for a chess match if the Isles face off against the Caps (and they likely will). Most people mention Ovechkin as the main reason why their team should fear the Caps, and don't get me wrong, if Ovechkin gets hot during this series, that's a big factor in favor of Washington. But Lehner has shown that he can stop star shooters from scoring. He held the Penguins 1st line to one goal from Guentzel and held Sidney Crosby to one lowly assist. That said, Ovechkin is a much stronger skater than Crosby, and he likely has the grit and strength to get in front of the net and take shots in a way Crosby couldn't do without getting hit. Still, the Isles should win this one in my mind. Their goaltender is hotter, their defense had a more impressive showing than Washington's is right now and they'll have a week and a half at least to rest the 1st round's wear and tear. Not to mention the fact that Eberle is AWAKE.

3. Blue Jackets

I was just on the verge of putting the Leafs here. The Leafs have a better offense, a more seasoned playoff team and are coming off a much, much stronger year. But the Jackets have one thing the Leafs don't. The Leafs didn't sweep Tampa, and Columbus did. Until this team gets knocked out, every team should be at least slightly scared of the Jackets. But why did I put them behind the Capitals and Bruins? Simple, they may have swept a good team, but aside from a truly heroic performance in Game 1 from Bob, their reasons for advancing are a bit unobtainable to me. There isn't an element of their team that's objectively better than Tampa on paper (scoreboards aren't on paper though). I know what scares me about the Bs and Caps. Call it fear of the unknown for the BJs, I guess.

4. Maple Leafs

So why am I not afraid of Maple Leafs? I spent all of last year waxing poetic about how great Tavares was (before i KNEW BETTER) and even now I'll admit the Leafs have an offense that is just downright gaudy. An offense that, much like a nuclearly fissionable atom, is so crazy and unnaturally good that people question for just how much longer it will even hold together before a trade (or the weak nuclear force just not being enough to hold the atom together) brings it apart in a beautiful explosion. So why am I not scared of the Leafs (right now)? Well so far, they have done nothing to inspire confidence on defense and Freddy Anderson does NOT look good. An average of 3.25 goals against per game? You can't go up against a defensive team like the Isles with those numbers. The Isles whole MO is holding the other team to 1 or 2 goals per game, doing exactly that by holding Pittsburgh (a similarly stacked offense) to 1.5 goals per game, all while the Isles put up 3.5 goals per game. I know how good this Leafs team is and how good they CAN be. I wouldn't expect this series to be anything but physical and close. But if I were a betting man, after what I've seen the last 4 games? I'm putting my lack of money on the Isles.

5. Hurricanes

With all due respect to Carolina, they just don't have the accomplishments, pedigree or rosters of the above teams. They have a great offense, a great defense, they're young and spry and they've got a chip on their shoulders just like we do. But they didn't knock out Tampa. They don't have Boston's, Toronto's or Washington's top lines. The Hurricanes aren't a team you can fall asleep on, but if I had to pick one team in the East to play next round, it'd be the Hurricanes.

It also helps to have home ice advantage, and we'd have that against the Canes, Jackets and Leafs, just saying.