Follow me on Twitter:
@BenShelley_20
Follow HockeyBuzz Islanders on Twitter:
@HB_Islanders
The New York Islanders will begin their second round series tonight, as they face the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1.
After winning all three of their round robin games, the Flyers beat the Montreal Canadiens in six games in their first round series to advance. The Islanders held a 3-0 record against the Flyers this year and both teams are coming into the game with seven wins and two losses in the postseason so far.
The Flyers had both the seventh-highest goals for per game average this year, as well as the seventh-lowest goals against per game average. Up front, Philadelphia has been relying on Jakub Voracek and Kevin Hayes, who have both started the playoffs strong. That said, some of their other top forwards, like Claude Giroux, Travis Konecny and James van Riemsdyk have struggled. All three have gone without a goal so far in the postseason and van Riemsdyk was even scratched during their series against Montreal.
Something interesting to note is that the Flyers were outshot in five of their six games against the Canadiens. However, Carter Hart has been excellent so far in the playoffs and currently holds a .943 save percentage.
Meanwhile, things have been clicking for the Islanders and they’ve looked great up to this point. The second line has combined for 11 goals and 26 points in nine games, while the first line seems to have found its rhythm and Jean-Gabriel Pageau continues to provide a huge boost for the third line. Defensively, New York has been great so far and on the few chances they do give up, Semyon Varlamov has usually been able to come up with a key save.
As I mentioned, I’m happy to see the Islanders up against Philadelphia instead of Boston and I’m expecting a close series here. If New York is able to reduce chances in this series like they did in both the qualifying round and first round, they’re going to be a really difficult team to beat.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
***NOTE: We've launched a HockeyBuzz Islanders Twitter account! For anyone interested, you can follow
@HB_Islanders for updates on articles, Islanders news, etc. We're starting right from scratch, so any followers would be appreciated!***
OTHER ISLANDERS ARTICLES FROM AUGUST
Game 1 Preview: Islanders vs. Panthers
Notes from Game 1 vs. Panthers
Reviewing last week's polls (August 3): Islanders Edition
Game 2 Preview: Islanders vs. Panthers
Notes from Game 2 vs. Panthers
Game 3 Preview: Islanders vs. Panthers
Notes from Game 3 vs. Panthers
Game 4 Preview: Islanders vs. Panthers
Islanders advance: Notes from Game 4 vs. Panthers
Islanders will face Capitals in first round
Reviewing last week's polls (August 10): Islanders Edition
Previewing New York's series against the Capitals
Notes from Game 1: Islanders vs. Capitals
Game 2 Preview: Islanders vs. Capitals
Notes from Game 2: Islanders vs. Capitals
Game 3 Preview: Islanders vs. Capitals
Notes from Game 3: Islanders vs. Capitals
Game 4 Preview: Islanders vs. Capitals
Notes from Game 4: Islanders vs. Capitals
Game 5 Preview: Islanders vs. Capitals
Islanders advance: Notes from Game 5 vs. Capitals 
New York Islanders Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»