Pretty much every series in the playoffs is going to be a good series. Just spitballin' here, but I don't think any team mails it in during the playoffs. Just sayin'.
The Isles are going to play whoever they play. There's no bad teams in the playoffs. It's not like they can request to play the Sens, Devils & Rags. They're in. Let's see how far they can ride this out and enjoy it.
- Isleshockeyman

Guess that’s why I never got a reply from that email.

Pretty much every series in the playoffs is going to be a good series. Just spitballin' here, but I don't think any team mails it in during the playoffs. Just sayin'.
The Isles are going to play whoever they play. There's no bad teams in the playoffs. It's not like they can request to play the Sens, Devils & Rags. They're in. Let's see how far they can ride this out and enjoy it.
- Isleshockeyman

I don’t wanna play anybody good in the playoffs blah blah blah some of you are ridiculous 😂 😂
- Vukota

what's more ridiculous.. us discussing who the Isles might play in playoffs and excitedly saying what we think of each match up... or you coming in and a few other coming in and calling us critiquing it? There is NOTHING wrong with Isles fans talking about why they think certain match-ups are better than other for their team. We are in the playoffs... 99% of the people on here did not expect that.. talking about match-ups is a fun way to get through our day as we excitedly wait for the games next week.

yes, we are all very aware that the playoff teams are good. Yes, I would still rather not face a team with Sidney, Malkin, Kessel and a goalie who has won cups already.

blah blah blah.

Ironically, I have the sense that other teams are viewing the Islanders as the team they'd most like to play.
- JohnScammo

very solid point... bring it!!

As s Pens fan Carolina is the team that scares me for some reason. Washington, Tampa, Boston are all really good. But, Carolina just has an "it" factor this year.
- cranktheradio

I would love to see the Pens and Caps go nuts in first round again for 7 while we played ANYONE else... .lol

There's still a slight chance Columbus will miss the playoffs, but, even though they are tied in points currently with Montreal, they own the first tiebreaker over the Habs (ROWs) and the Habs next play the Caps whereas Columbus plays the Rangers. The most likely match up is Columbus and Tampa which could prove to be a pretty good series.
- JohnScammo

I want this to happen just to watch the Carnage. GM went "all In" at trade deadline (staying with poker theme). If they don't even make the playoffs nevermind get out of first round it will be crazy... and all the UFA's will probablly leave.

Isles will struggle against any team as long as the offense and PP continue to struggle. Just no easy teams to play.
- ses111

It was nice to see them finally put 2 D-men at the point at end of last game.. they finally scored on that one too.

Frankly I wouldn’t want to play the Isles, not bc I’m a fan but the fact we’ll be playing with house money. I think they’ll play with less stress - kind of like when we’ve been eliminated in prior seasons and beat teams we shouldn’t. This is all bonus play for a team that should have been vying for Hughes. And I think Trotz will have them playing this role and that will motivate them. Anyone who play the isles will have to deal with stingy D and the pressure of being beaten by them. Love the position we’re in.

Lamoriello’s strategy to expand the Isles farm system through college free agency has added three players to the fold in the last week-plus, with Jobst joining D Grant Hutton and F Bobo Carpenter. They were reportedly on the short list for St. Cloud State D Jimmy Schuldt, who signed with Vegas.

It’s a different approach than the previous Isles regime, which likely didn’t have the scouting manpower or the financial flexibility under Charles Wang to pursue the elite college FAs — Schuldt signed a one-year deal that will be burned this season, so he’s essentially a restricted free agent immediately and will get a bigger deal than just an entry-level one this summer.

Bob McKenzie
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Chase Priskie, WSH 6th round pick in 2016, has informed the Capitals he will NOT be signing with them and will become UFA on Aug. 15. Priskie finished his senior season with Quinnipiac and should be a highly sought after free agent defenceman.

Thought Chief? u think Toews could talk him into Isles?

Frankly I wouldn’t want to play the Isles, not bc I’m a fan but the fact we’ll be playing with house money. I think they’ll play with less stress - kind of like when we’ve been eliminated in prior seasons and beat teams we shouldn’t. This is all bonus play for a team that should have been vying for Hughes. And I think Trotz will have them playing this role and that will motivate them. Anyone who play the isles will have to deal with stingy D and the pressure of being beaten by them. Love the position we’re in.
- TogaIsles

Teams with good goaltending and solid D go very far in playoffs sometimes. which is why I would be nervous about playing Pens or Habs the most. Bob has been awful in big situations and while Canes goalies are good... I am not scared sht of them stealing a series. Murray and Price could easily do that to us. ... whatever.. like u said it's house money.

Bob McKenzie
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Chase Priskie, WSH 6th round pick in 2016, has informed the Capitals he will NOT be signing with them and will become UFA on Aug. 15. Priskie finished his senior season with Quinnipiac and should be a highly sought after free agent defenceman.

Thought Chief? u think Toews could talk him into Isles?
- niteislander

I'm not chiefs but there are 3 Quinnipiac alums in isles org but we are deep on d prospects this is from the same article I posted above:


The Isles do have plenty of defensemen in the NHL and the AHL, so selling Priskie on joining the organization could be a stretch. But the Quinnipiac-Bridgeport connection is strong — Connor Jones and Travis St. Denis are QU alums now with the Sound Tigers — and Lamoriello certainly seems to be exploring all avenues to improve the Isles’ depth.


If he will come here you take him, he can always be used as part of a deal later too

Teams with good goaltending and solid D go very far in playoffs sometimes. which is why I would be nervous about playing Pens or Habs the most. Bob has been awful in big situations and while Canes goalies are good... I am not scared sht of them stealing a series. Murray and Price could easily do that to us. ... whatever.. like u said it's house money.
- niteislander

Like the isles? The isles are built for the playoffs sometimes they lack scoring and fancy goals but they do score dirty goals and that's important in the post season. The biggest issue they will face is the same as it's been all year the power play. If I'm an opposing team I commit a penalty if possible on a high danger chance and make the pp score

As per our conversation last week, they are now studying the possibility of a full-time LIRR station for Belmont Park.

https://www.newsday.com/l...islanders-lirr-1.29345692

Buried at the bottom:

"The sources said that because the LIRR Main Line is located north of Belmont, most people who would arrive at a new station likely would take a shuttle bus to the arena, which will be located on the southwest side of the racetrack. Shuttle buses already are planned for those who park in the north lots."

As per our conversation last week, they are now studying the possibility of a full-time LIRR station for Belmont Park.

https://www.newsday.com/l...islanders-lirr-1.29345692

Buried at the bottom:

"The sources said that because the LIRR Main Line is located north of Belmont, most people who would arrive at a new station likely would take a shuttle bus to the arena, which will be located on the southwest side of the racetrack. Shuttle buses already are planned for those who park in the north lots."
- Atomic Wedgie

i grew up in this town. probably the best they can do logistically, definitely better than a train making a 3 point turn lol.

this really isnt too big a deal. def way better than going to hempstead and taking a cab from that station to the coliseum. leave it to long islanders to complain about it though

Like the isles? The isles are built for the playoffs sometimes they lack scoring and fancy goals but they do score dirty goals and that's important in the post season. The biggest issue they will face is the same as it's been all year the power play. If I'm an opposing team I commit a penalty if possible on a high danger chance and make the pp score
- Upstate_isles

Yes.. i was agreeing with u.. and yes the PP is an issue for sure. Also why I want no part of Pens. PP with sid, Malkin, Kessel, and Letang

I'm not chiefs but there are 3 Quinnipiac alums in isles org but we are deep on d prospects this is from the same article I posted above:


The Isles do have plenty of defensemen in the NHL and the AHL, so selling Priskie on joining the organization could be a stretch. But the Quinnipiac-Bridgeport connection is strong — Connor Jones and Travis St. Denis are QU alums now with the Sound Tigers — and Lamoriello certainly seems to be exploring all avenues to improve the Isles’ depth.


If he will come here you take him, he can always be used as part of a deal later too
- Upstate_isles

missed it

https://www.newsday.com/l...slanders-arena-1.29302396

Long Island politics at it's best.. they have $650k to lobby against making new arena. WTF is wrong with NY?

missed it
- niteislander

Was a clip from it not the link as it's the athletic

Former Islanders co-owner Stephen Walsh seeks reduced prison sentence
Lawyers say Walsh's previous counsel knew a judge who gave him a lengthy sentence was "cognitively impaired" from a stroke but failed to challenge the ruling.

https://www.newsday.com/l...walsh-sentence-1.29353094

Isles really killing it in Newsday today..

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/belmont-islanders-arena-1.29302396

Long Island politics at it's best.. they have $650k to lobby against making new arena. WTF is wrong with NY?
- niteislander

Very strange and mysterious organization. It seems to have links to the national Republican Party, the Koch Brothers and Karl Rove. Why would they want to get involved in any of this?? Are they taking revenge on Islander fans for their treatment of Kate Murray??? Doesn't make sense.... It's also kind of strange that the Group would oppose the Belmont Arena, but support upgrading the train station there. Or is that just to give them cover??

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/belmont-islanders-arena-1.29302396

Long Island politics at it's best.. they have $650k to lobby against making new arena. WTF is wrong with NY?
- niteislander

Funniest thing...they have a California address with funding from a group from Virginia.

Wut?

Funniest thing...they have a California address with funding from a group from Virginia.

Wut?
- potvin05

somebody with a lot of money and a vendetta hiding who they are behind this sketchy ass lobby group. this should be really fun

I care more about getting home ice than who the Isles play. Apart from the boost the Isles get from the crowd, Trotz is way more about matching lines than Cappy ever was, and home ice makes that a little easier. Every advantage helps.

Regarding the team they play, I'm not sure it matters. They'll be in tough against whoever it is. The Isles aren't blessed with a lot of talent...they've gotten by on discipline and on outworking other teams. They're not going to catch any of these teams in the playoffs on an off night, or by surprise, so no matter who they play, it'll be a war trying to get to the next round.

If I had to pick, I guess I'd go with Columbus, only because maybe the sense of unity might not be there as much as the other teams with so many additions and key pieces already there with one foot out the door. But, that's probably more wishful thinking than anything.

I care more about getting home ice than who the Isles play. Apart from the boost the Isles get from the crowd, Trotz is way more about matching lines than Cappy ever was, and home ice makes that a little easier. Every advantage helps.

Regarding the team they play, I'm not sure it matters. They'll be in tough against whoever it is. The Isles aren't blessed with a lot of talent...they've gotten by on discipline and on outworking other teams. They're not going to catch any of these teams in the playoffs on an off night, or by surprise, so no matter who they play, it'll be a war trying to get to the next round.

If I had to pick, I guess I'd go with Columbus, only because maybe the sense of unity might not be there as much as the other teams with so many additions and key pieces already there with one foot out the door. But, that's probably more wishful thinking than anything.
- UIF

A win tonight would sure help in that regard. Although Florida "has nothing to play for", I think they would relish the role as spoilers, especially with Cappy still behind the bench. Also, Florida is one of the very few teams who has not lost to the Isles even once this season.