On the season series, the Panthers were 2-1-0 with one of the wins coming in the shootout, so technically the Islanders were 1-1-1 against the Panthers. However, the Panthers did beat the Islanders 5-1 to start their 12 game winning streak.
The Panthers were 11-5-0 down the stretch. Over that same period the Islanders were 8-6-2, with 3 of their wins coming in OT or SO.
Panthers are 7th in the league in GA/G at 2.44 (just 0.04 behind the Blues for 4th). They are 8th in the league in GF/G at 2.83. PP is just 23 (behind the Flames!) at 16.9%. PK is also not great at 79.5% for 24th.
Islanders are 12th in GA/G at 2.54, and 11th in GF/G at 2.78. PP is ranked 13th at 18.7%, and the PK is ranked an impressive 2nd at 85.5%.
This is by no means an easy matchup for either team, but the East has been extremely competitive this year, so it shouldn't be surprising.
I'll take Luongo over Halak in a 7 game series. I'm a homer (obviously) but Panthers in 6...as long as Barkov and Ekblad stay healthy.
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"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
Islanders: 45-27-10, 100 points (fourth in the Metropolitan Division and fifth in the eastern conference) Panthers: 47-26-9, 103 points (first in the Atlantic Division and third in the eastern conference)
See no reason why Florida can't win this and I think they will. Florida in 7. Just hope the natives show up on mass for the Panthers home games and the New Yorkers don't take over the place.
See no reason why Florida can't win this and I think they will. Florida in 7. Just hope the natives show up on mass for the Panthers home games and the New Yorkers don't take over the place.
Most of the wintering folk have flown back home for the summer at this point, but there are a LOT of former New Yorkers that live down here full time. Panthers season ticket holders get first priority, but I'm not sure how many season ticket holders there were this year. Chances are there will be plenty of Islanders fans in house no matter how strong the support is for the Panthers.
__________________
"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
First game is tonight on CNBC (seriously?), Sportsnet, and TVA.
Looking forward to seeing the fans get excited for the playoffs for once. There's been a lot more interest around this team in the last couple of months. They've also become just a fun group to root for. From Luongo and his Twitter presence, to Jagr being a legend still at 44 years old, to young Ekblad, Huberdeau, and Barkov becoming premiere players, there's just a lot to like about this team.
That's not even getting into the weird viral stuff that's been happening. First, there was the Spacey in Space sweatshirt that nobody outside of a few players know anything about. There are a ton of fans who have purchased the sweatshirt and wear it to games, and the proceeds have gone to charity. It eventually resulted in this moment:
It's rumored that Spacey will appear again at one of the first two home games for the Panthers. That's just fun, I don't care who you are.
To another degree, it's just a young group that's having fun. Here's a clip showing how Nick Bjugstad got the nickname "rotisserie chicken":
I mean it's silly, but this is a pretty endearing group overall.
The game tonight will be the first real test for many Panthers players, but they seem to be taking it seriously. Bjugstad remarked on how they have to forget everything that happened this season and have a brand new focus for the playoffs. Don't take anything for granted. Be prepared. It sounds like Gallant is saying the right things to these guys, and they have veterans like Campbell, Jagr, Jokinen, and Thornton to rely on, not to mention Luongo and his experience. Now we have to wait and see how it translates on the ice.
Hamonic will indeed be back in the lineup for the Islanders tonight, but they'll be without Halak for likely the entire series, meaning it falls on the shoulders of Thomas Greiss to get the job done. Anders Lee is also out for the long term with a broken fibula, and Mikhail Grabovski is out for an indeterminate amount of time with post-concussion syndrome. He even stopped skating, which is a bad sign.
For the Panthers, Gudbranson will play tonight, as there was some question about a concussion keeping him out of the lineup. It's unlikely that the Panthers will see Vincent Trocheck for game 1, but he is listed as day to day so he will make a return at some point in the series. Bolland and Mitchell are unlikely to play again this season. Steven Kampfer, a valuable depth defender, is out for the first two games, but could make a return on the road in Brooklyn.
Prediction: Panthers will be nervous in the 1st period, but Luongo will find a way to hold them in it as the Islanders attempt to take advantage of an inexperienced team on their home ice. Panthers will rally after the 1st to take a lead that they won't relinquish the rest of the way.
Let's Go Panthers!!!
__________________
"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
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