Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Game 4 Preview: Islanders vs. Panthers

August 7, 2020, 8:50 AM ET [317 Comments]
Ben Shelley
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter: @BenShelley_20
Follow HockeyBuzz Islanders on Twitter: @HB_Islanders


The New York Islanders will have their second chance to advance to the first round of the playoffs, as they face the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of their qualifying round series today.

New York missed out on a great opportunity to end the series in Game 3 and they can’t let this series go to Game 5, where anything could happen.



One key is that the Islanders can’t take penalties like they did in Game 3. Florida capitalized on two of five chances and have scored on three of nine chances so far in the series. New York was the better team at 5-on-5 in Game 3 but if they take penalties against the Panthers in Game 4, it’s not going to go well.

As I said in the last game review, a dump and chase style works against the Panthers and New York just needs to keep it simple. The majority of New York’s forwards aren’t going to fly into the offensive zone with the puck and make a play and instead, it’s often a matter of forechecking. We’ve seen that Florida’s defense turns the puck over under pressure and the Islanders need to capitalize on that.

Puck drop is at noon.



***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!***

Here’s today’s poll question (results and discussion will be posted in a future article):

Who's been New York's best defenseman so far?
Andy Greene
Nick Leddy
Scott Mayfield
Adam Pelech
Ryan Pulock
Devon Toews
Created with Poll Maker

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
Join the Discussion: » 317 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Ben Shelley
» Shorthanded Islanders fall 5-2 to Rangers
» Isles end losing skid with win over Sabres, but injuries continue to mount
» Islanders doomed by lack of scoring in losses to Ducks and Blue Jackets
» Islanders’ trend of blowing leads continues in collapse against Panthers
» Islanders allow late goal, but get past Devils in overtime