Islanders Show Resolve Against Capitals

Heading into this opening round series, the New York Islanders were looking to do something that hasn't happened in 22 years. Win a playoff series. The division finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, thanks to David Volek's Overtime goal in game seven, was the last time the Islanders won a playoff series. This year the Isles look like they are finally ready to buck the trend and advance in the playoffs. Standing in their way have been the Washington Capitals, a team who many predicted to take the series. But the Islanders have been proving people wrong in this series, managing to turn a few heads as they have played to an even series through the first four games. Through the first four games of the series, the Islanders have proven that they won't be pushed around in this matchup with Washington.

Of course, there are problems the Islanders are going to have in the series. For one the team is the only one in the playoffs that hasn't scored a powerplay goal, going 0 for 10 in the series with the man advantage. Its not just the fact that they haven't scored on the powerplay, its the mere fact that they barley take shots on the powerplay. What the Islander powerplay does too much of is look for the perfect shot or try and set Tavares up for a deflection. Why waste time doing that, just get a body in front of the net and start firing the puck. Even if a Washington defender gets in the way of the shot, at least it creates more havok on the ice and will open up more shooting lanes to get pucks through to the net, which is what your supposed to do on the man advantage. There have been times where they have been badly outplayed by Washington, like in the late stages of game two, and the third period of game three.Then there's the case of the broken stick. It seems that Tavares has had trouble with his sticks in the series. There were a few times I can clearly recall when he had a golden chance to score and his stick would snap in half on him. I know that's seen as being a little to critical but I call it like I see it.

With all that being said, there have been plenty to be happy about to from the Islanders so far in the first four games of the series. One of the big things to take notice of is the physical play in the series. The Islanders have been able to control the play along the boards and in the corners, thus to a degree keeping the Caps on their heels. Despite not having the teams best defender Travis Hamonic out of the lineup, the Islanders have been abel to keep Washington in check. I'll admit Nicklas Backstrom is having a good series with six points in the first four games, but the Isles defensive unit has held Alex Ovechkin to just two goals in the series. That says a lot considering Ovechkin scored 53 times during the regular season.

yes there have been some lacks on offense. Tavares has had a good series but he has the skill to play better, which he will. Okposo is showing he has the ability to perform in the playoffs. Josh Bailey has been playing quite well through the first four games. Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck both have had an impact in this series, both have scored big goals and Cal came a crossbar away from winning game four. Both those two guys especially have been able to get open ice thanks to their physical play opening up space on the ice to be able to operate. Now its time for the Isles to start making adjustments. Now not only is travis Hamonic not in the lineup, but Lubomir Visnovsky is not going to be available to play Thursday, because of the injury suffered in game four on the hit by Tom Wilson. So now its more on Nick Leddy, Johnny Boychuk and a very surprising Brian Strait to hold down the fort and keep Ovechkin in check.

Are there going to be faults in the Islanders? Sure. No hockey team ever plays a perfect game or perfect series. But the Islanders are right there to take this series, they need to win two of the next three games so it is possible. Now they just have to finish the job.