Ben Shelley: Does rest give the Islanders an advantage against the Hurricanes?

Think you guys might need a period or 2 to get the game legs, after that I don't think its an issue

Short answer. Yes.

Staal's goal was brutal. Holtby lost his net entirely.
- BINGO!

His angle was like a mile off-course

I think it does help a little if it's like 5 or 6 days, but when you're getting up into 10+ days without playing it can cause a bit of a problem for the first period and a bit.

In the Canes case, they're pretty beat up, but should be getting a couple bodies back soon too, so that may help negate at least a little bit of the disadvantage they'll be at.

His angle was like a mile off-course
- eichiefs9

the entire far side of the net was open. It was awful.

Think you guys might need a period or 2 to get the game legs, after that I don't think its an issue
- mdw7413

Very possible mdw. It's a lot of time off.

I hate that I have to root against the Canes any other year I would be pulling for them. With that said LGI!! and suck it Bingo!

I think it does help a little if it's like 5 or 6 days, but when you're getting up into 10+ days without playing it can cause a bit of a problem for the first period and a bit.

In the Canes case, they're pretty beat up, but should be getting a couple bodies back soon too, so that may help negate at least a little bit of the disadvantage they'll be at.
- BINGO!

how's that kid ovie beat up?

how's that kid ovie beat up?
- Fountain-San

Still Russian, unfortunately

Still Russian, unfortunately
- eichiefs9

yuck

how's that kid ovie beat up?
- Fountain-San

Pretty close. Could have probably played yesterday, but they didn't want to risk it.

He'll play either game one or two.

yuck
- Fountain-San

I won't wish a concussion on anyone so I hope his brain is fully healed and his Richard falls off and he can't play

I hate that I have to root against the Canes any other year I would be pulling for them. With that said LGI!! and suck it Bingo!
- Vukota

eat my entire ass, buddy.

I won't wish a concussion on anyone so I hope his brain is fully healed and his Richard falls off and he can't play
- eichiefs9

DOOMED

eat my entire ass, buddy.
- BINGO!

I won't wish a concussion on anyone so I hope his brain is fully healed and his Richard falls off and he can't play
- eichiefs9

- Vukota

- Fountain-San

I almost bet the house on the Caps last night

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.

I don't really like not being able to fully hate the Canes. I'm going to have to do some real mental gymnastics and find some seriously petty stuff to hate on them for

I don't really like not being able to fully hate the Canes. I'm going to have to do some real mental gymnastics and find some seriously petty stuff to hate on them for
- eichiefs9

They're dirty as (frank).

i think the Isles have the advantage over the canes as there will be a huge let down for the canes after the hype of beating the caps.

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.