Tampa is coming off an impressive 5 game series win over Carolina, while the Islanders continue to surprise the hockey world after taking out the Bruins in 6 games. Let’s see how these two stack up.
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The Lightning are starting to peak at just the right time. Their top line of Kucherov, Point, and Palat has been on fire. These 3 look like men against boys right now. It must be nice being able to roll out Stamkos on your second line. On top of that their power play is cruising along at something stupid like 41% right now. Thats disgusting. The Gourde and Johnson lines are doing what every championship team needs out of their third and fourth lines. Playing heavy hockey and chipping in with the odd goal.
The Nelson line for the Islanders is technically their second line, but they have been carrying the offence. Boston simply did not have an answer for these guys. If Barzel and his linemates wake up, we could be in for an exciting series. Kyle Palmieri has been on fire, playing like a man possessed who is wanting one last big contract. If he keeps that up it could go a long ways for the Islanders this round.
I would still prefer the high end talent Tampa possess over the blue collar crew in New York.
Defence
Not much I can say about the Lightning defence that hasn’t already been said. Hedman leads a very solid top 6. They have everything a team needs to go all the way. On the left side they are stacked with Hedman, Mcdonagh, and that mouthpiece Sergachev. He seems to always be involved after the whistle. I love seeing that. This group can burn you offensively, and also shut down your top guys.
This no name group for the Islanders keeps proving how little I know about hockey. Even after shutting down two very good hockey clubs, I still look at this group and wonder how they do it. Adam Pelech is having himself a coming out party. He has been a stud on the back end every time I tune in to watch them. Noah Dobson has also found his swagger that made him the top junior defenceman in Canada a few seasons ago. He is playing with a ton of confidence right now and it has been a big boost to this group.
Even after giving this Islander group a mild tug job, I still think Tampa has the better top 6.
Goaltending
Another chance to close a team out, another shutout for big sexy Andre Vasilevskiy. This guy is straight money in big situations. All he does is win. Best goaltender in the game today. Not much else I can say.
I don’t even know who is gonna be starting game 1 for the Islanders. Logic would say Semyon Varlamov, considering the success he had against the Bruins. Who knows though. After collecting all four wins against the Penguins in round one, I assumed Ilya Sorokin Would start against Boston. Whoever Barry Trotz chooses to go with will have their hands full with all the firepower Tampa posses. I am very interested to see how they fare.
As good as both New York goalies have been, I am giving the nod to Tampa.
Prediction
So I gave the advantage in all three departments to Tampa. The two things I didn’t get into are how Barry Trotz just knows how to win, and that rowdy crowd in Long Island is. My entire body is telling me Tampa dominates and rolls on to the finals, but I am going with the Islanders to win this in 7. Something about this team has got me believing.