In most cases the rest is beneficial. Also, there have only been a few instances where teams win the Cup without having had at least one 4 or 5 game series along the way.

The only cases where it can hurt is when it is very long and the team is not able to retain focus over the break. The best example I can think of is the 2007 Ottawa Senators. They stormed through the Eastern Conference playoffs and if I remember right had almost two whole weeks until the Finals. They didn't look like the same team and lost. That is rare, though.

If the breaks were equal I would say this matchup is a toss-up. However, the break + Trotz's coaching I think gives the Islanders the advantage here.
- PghPens668771

Being able to start at home will help, the crowd will be rowdy and they'll get up for the game. I'd have been a lot more concerned if they had to start on the road in Washington after a long layoff.

They're dirty as (frank).
- BINGO!

They do not do that dopey celebration anymore right?

They're dirty as (frank).
- BINGO!

Just don't hurt any defenseman. If I see Luca Sbisa playing in a playoff game I'm going to hang myself from the Notorious BIG banner in the Barclays.

They do not do that dopey celebration anymore right?
- ses111

Just don't hurt any defenseman. If I see Luca Sbisa playing in a playoff game I'm going to hang myself from the Notorious BIG banner in the Barclays.
- eichiefs9

what defensemen?

In most cases the rest is beneficial. Also, there have only been a few instances where teams win the Cup without having had at least one 4 or 5 game series along the way.

The only cases where it can hurt is when it is very long and the team is not able to retain focus over the break. The best example I can think of is the 2007 Ottawa Senators. They stormed through the Eastern Conference playoffs and if I remember right had almost two whole weeks until the Finals. They didn't look like the same team and lost. That is rare, though.

If the breaks were equal I would say this matchup is a toss-up. However, the break + Trotz's coaching I think gives the Islanders the advantage here.
- PghPens668771

The record was 10 days when the Ducks lost to the Devils in the cup finals. Isles will have the second longest break at 9 days, but I get what you're saying

what defensemen?
- Streit2ThePoint

I flagged this by accident and I won't apologize until you're made Vegas Knights Blogger-In-Chief

They do not do that dopey celebration anymore right?
- ses111

Not in the playoffs, no.

It's one thing to do it in the regular season, but in the playoffs where you're playing the same team over and over again? Hell naw.

- eichiefs9

- eichiefs9

Just don't hurt any defenseman. If I see Luca Sbisa playing in a playoff game I'm going to hang myself from the Notorious BIG banner in the Barclays.
- eichiefs9

I'm bummed no Aho over Hickey but I get it.

Not in love with Mrazek, feel like that will be the difference vs Lehner. Isles in 7. Sorry Bingo!

I'm bummed no Aho over Hickey but I get it.
- ses111

Is Boychuk available later on in series? I heard he’s improving

Is Boychuk available later on in series? I heard he’s improving
- Slimtj100

I hope so but I though he would be out the entire series?

Not in the playoffs, no.

It's one thing to do it in the regular season, but in the playoffs where you're playing the same team over and over again? Hell naw.
- BINGO!

Canes are wimps not to keep the celebration going.

I'm bummed no Aho over Hickey but I get it.
- ses111

Hickey is the right choice over Aho. He's got playoff experience. But if someone else goes down they really can't play Sbisa. Or Seidenberg's decomposing corpse.

Hickey is the right choice over Aho. He's got playoff experience. But if someone else goes down they really can't play Sbisa. Or Seidenberg's decomposing corpse.
- eichiefs9

No question Hickey needs to play. Aho needs to be backup. Let's hope Aho is not needed.

No question Hickey needs to play. Aho needs to be bavkup. Let's hope Aho is not needed.
- ses111

Last playoff game I went to at the Barclays saw Hickey drop the hammer on Drouin. Hoping for more of that when I'm there tomorrow

Just don't hurt any defenseman. If I see Luca Sbisa playing in a playoff game I'm going to hang myself from the Notorious BIG banner in the Barclays.
- eichiefs9

oh god please play sbisa just for 1 game please please please......

oh god please play sbisa just for 1 game please please please......
- nyislsbossy

Congrats on beating the Champs Bingo... but now we have to turn our back on ya.

Neiderreiter Dead!! de Haan Dead!! ... (ok not Dead.. but we need to stir some sht up here.. fan bases are way too nice to each other at this point).

Last playoff game I went to at the Barclays saw Hickey drop the hammer on Drouin. Hoping for more of that when I'm there tomorrow


- eichiefs9

That was some hit. I'll be happy if Hickey is not playing behind the Canes net.

Hickey is the right choice over Aho. He's got playoff experience. But if someone else goes down they really can't play Sbisa. Or Seidenberg's decomposing corpse.
- eichiefs9

Agreed. My biggest problem with Hickey over the years was that he was miscast as a regular, albeit out of necessity for most of those years. I'm happy to have him as a 7th d-man stepping in for an injury.

oh god please play sbisa just for 1 game please please please......
- nyislsbossy

agreed

Last playoff game I went to at the Barclays saw Hickey drop the hammer on Drouin. Hoping for more of that when I'm there tomorrow


- eichiefs9

Actually found someone his height.