Ben Shelley: Playoff Preview: Islanders vs. Penguins

Should be a good series. The Penguins have the deepest lineup they have had in since the cup years. The Pens have 4 lines that can perform. Jeff Carter performing the way he has is going to create match up problems

Should be a good series. The Penguins have the deepest lineup they have had in since the cup years. The Pens have 4 lines that can perform. Jeff Carter performing the way he has is going to create match up problems
- PittsPens

Our first line is constructed to take on anyone. Trotz will most likely play them against all four of your lines that can perform. The other three lines will only come out for the penalty kill.

Our first line is constructed to take on anyone. Trotz will most likely play them against all four of your lines that can perform. The other three lines will only come out for the penalty kill.
- Cptmjl

I'm gonna be really tired of hearing the same 3 names for about 50 minutes a game then from your side.

I'm gonna be really tired of hearing the same 3 names for about 50 minutes a game then from your side.
- Guile

It will be a fun series. While many Penguins fans wanted the Islanders, dont think that's disrespecting you guys... that's just a sign how badly we match up against Boston. Islanders are well coached, play a good system, and have good talent like Barzal. That is a winning combo.

It will be a fun series. While many Penguins fans wanted the Islanders, dont think that's disrespecting you guys... that's just a sign how badly we match up against Boston. Islanders are well coached, play a good system, and have good talent like Barzal. That is a winning combo.
- SuperHenderson13

Any of the four teams can win and will be challenging. Unfortunately the Isles haven't been playing great down the stretch. Who knows what will happen. The Penguins are the favorites, but the Isles have a shot.

Defense wins in the playoffs! That's all I've got

Defense wins in the playoffs! That's all I've got
- Upstate_isles

And The Isles have that. This team will be ready to go. That’s all I got.

We have a Malk. There is no version of this where you come out on top.

Any of the four teams can win and will be challenging. Unfortunately the Isles haven't been playing great down the stretch. Who knows what will happen. The Penguins are the favorites, but the Isles have a shot.
- JimmyP

Isles have more then a shot if we play the way we all know we can we win the series.

Isles have more then a shot if we play the way we all know we can we win the series.
- Cptmjl

I think alot of the more homerish Pens fans think this is going to be an easy series. I know it is not, and I believe the Isles can beat the Pens, if the Pens try to play fast and loose. However, like you, I believe if the Pens play to their potential and within the structure of the team, they come out on top.

I think alot of the more homerish Pens fans think this is going to be an easy series. I know it is not, and I believe the Isles can beat the Pens, if the Pens try to play fast and loose. However, like you, I believe if the Pens play to their potential and within the structure of the team, they come out on top.
- PittsPens

I don’t disagree with this either. The Pens are a new team compared to what we saw last year or the season before. They’re playing some great hockey especially against us. Most posters on here wanted the pens. I for one did not but also don’t really think there’s much of a difference who we play minus Boston. I don’t think anyone wanted a first round match up with them.

If we’re able to play our game we’ll come out on top imo and you can certainly say the same thing about the pens. The islanders when playing their game can shut down the best in the league but the pens gave us some fits during the regular season. Post season generally yields different results or at least that’s what I’m hoping

love all the Pens fans confidence in here.. lol.

We have a Malk. There is no version of this where you come out on top.
- 10inchTerror

Didn't u have him 2 years ago too?

nhl ever going to release a playoff schedule?

nhl ever going to release a playoff schedule?
- niteislander

Colin Dunlap @colin_dunlap
1h
I'm told this is what Penguins/Islanders schedule will be...
G 1 - Sun, May 16 @ 12:00pm
G 2 - Tues, May 18 @ 7:30pm
G 3 - Thur, May 20 @ 7:00pm
G 4 - Sat, May 22 @ 3:00pm
G 5 - Mon, May 24 (Start Time TBD)
G 6 - Wed, May 26 (Start Time TBD)
G 7 - Friday, May 28 (Start Time TBD)

Colin Dunlap @colin_dunlap
1h
I'm told this is what Penguins/Islanders schedule will be...
G 1 - Sun, May 16 @ 12:00pm
G 2 - Tues, May 18 @ 7:30pm
G 3 - Thur, May 20 @ 7:00pm
G 4 - Sat, May 22 @ 3:00pm
G 5 - Mon, May 24 (Start Time TBD)
G 6 - Wed, May 26 (Start Time TBD)
G 7 - Friday, May 28 (Start Time TBD)
- eichiefs9

- Cptmjl

- eichiefs9

Damn skippy

Didn't u have him 2 years ago too?
- niteislander

Loki - I have an army
Stark - we have a hulk,
Something Loki says that I can’t remember
Stark- there is no version of this where you come out on top.


I just wanted to drop that reference. I’ll go back to the nerd forums.

Also no one on the pens board thinks the isles will be a cakewalk. You play a very tight defensive system, and trotz should easily out coach sully as sully just rolls lines instead of exploiting matchups. Everyone wanted the isles to avoid Boston and basically hope Wilson Wilson’s them up a bit. Also we would like a shot at revenge for 2019. Pitt won their first game in Boston this year in over 8 years. They have had pitts number for a long time and they are flying right now. The only matchup I’d feel confident in betting on Pitt is Washington, not that they couldn’t beat us but I don’t think they would. They are pretty Injured atm.

Loki - I have an army
Stark - we have a hulk,
Something Loki says that I can’t remember
Stark- there is no version of this where you come out on top.


I just wanted to drop that reference. I’ll go back to the nerd forums.

Also no one on the pens board thinks the isles will be a cakewalk. You play a very tight defensive system, and trotz should easily out coach sully as sully just rolls lines instead of exploiting matchups. Everyone wanted the isles to avoid Boston and basically hope Wilson Wilson’s them up a bit. Also we would like a shot at revenge for 2019. Pitt won their first game in Boston this year in over 8 years. They have had pitts number for a long time and they are flying right now. The only matchup I’d feel confident in betting on Pitt is Washington, not that they couldn’t beat us but I don’t think they would. They are pretty Injured atm.
- 10inchTerror

It should be a pretty good series. I think the x-factor is going to be the Islanders offense. I'm plenty confident in their ability to keep pucks out of their own net, but it's depositing them in the other one that has been the problem for over a month now, save for the Rangers games. They performed well in the playoffs coming off of a long pause last year, so we're hoping they can pick it up when it really matters.

Obviously the Pens are rolling right now, so it'll be a hot offense vs. a very good defense and, of course, the 2 teams aren't exactly BFF's so it should all make for an entertaining series.

Officially official

I got the hulk marvel reference..fyi.

Loki - I have an army
Stark - we have a hulk,
Something Loki says that I can’t remember
Stark- there is no version of this where you come out on top.


I just wanted to drop that reference. I’ll go back to the nerd forums.

Also no one on the pens board thinks the isles will be a cakewalk. You play a very tight defensive system, and trotz should easily out coach sully as sully just rolls lines instead of exploiting matchups. Everyone wanted the isles to avoid Boston and basically hope Wilson Wilson’s them up a bit. Also we would like a shot at revenge for 2019. Pitt won their first game in Boston this year in over 8 years. They have had pitts number for a long time and they are flying right now. The only matchup I’d feel confident in betting on Pitt is Washington, not that they couldn’t beat us but I don’t think they would. They are pretty Injured atm.
- 10inchTerror

2 years ago, most of us (including me) were hoping we'd sweep you guys and the Caps-Canes series would go 7 games with the Canes winning, so we wouldn't have to face, Ovie, Backstrom, Holtby, Wilson, etc. We got exactly what we wanted........and then got swept by the Canes. The playoffs are just too unpredictable.