Islanders play role of giant killer in NHL East Division

Editor’s note: The NHL is employing an unbalanced schedule this season with teams playing only division games. This is the fourth in an eight-part series previewing the Penguins and the seven opponents they will face eight times apiece in the East Division.

Take a look at what the New York Islanders have done in two postseasons under coach Barry Trotz.

In 2019, they humiliated the Penguins in a four-game first-round sweep.

In 2020, they dominated Washington and knocked off Philadelphia before losing to Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference finals.

That’s a lot of generational talents sent to the golf course in a two-year span.

Because the Islanders aren’t as star-studded as the opponents they’ve beaten in the playoffs, there’s a tendency to paint them as the modern-day 1996 Florida Panthers — a team that turns the game ugly with mind-numbing defense and wins to the detriment of the entertainment value of the sport.

There’s some truth to that. There were only two teams in the Eastern Conference to neither score nor allow 200 goals last season: the Islanders and Columbus.

But it’s also a bit of an unfair characterization. The Islanders are more talented than they’re given credit for.

Mathew Barzal is one of the most dynamic one-on-one players in the world. Anders Lee is a big-time power forward. Jordan Eberle, Brock Nelson, Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Bailey are better than advertised.

Add that sneaky collection of skill to perhaps the best defensive coach in the game, and it’s easy to see why the Islanders are the playoff matchup nobody wants.

The Islanders are showing a little vulnerability this offseason, though. A cap crunch forced the trade of top-notch defenseman Devon Toews to Colorado. There might be enough space left over to sign Barzal, a restricted free agent, and bring back all the depth pieces that remain unsigned, but it’s going to be awfully tight.

The best way for the rest of the East Division to avoid a humbling playoff exit at the hands of the Islanders might be to keep them out of the postseason altogether.

ISLANDERS AT A GLANCE

Last year: 35-23-10 (80 points)

vs. Penguins last year: 2-0-1

Matchup to watch: Derick Brassard vs. Jim Rutherford. Brassard has evolved into a pretty solid third-line forward for the Islanders, which must drive the Penguins GM mad. Brassard is an unrestricted free agent, but the Islanders could bring him back.

Key losses: With Devon Toews traded and Johnny Boychuk retired due to an eye injury, defensive depth has taken a hit. Goalie Thomas Greiss signed with Detroit. Brassard, Matt Martin, Tom Kuhnhackl and Andy Greene are UFAs, but they could stay with the Islanders.

Key additions: Ilya Sorokin is a 25-year-old goalie who has been a stud in the KHL the last five years.

What they’re saying: “I always think there’s three types of feelings (after a playoff loss). There’s young guys and guys who haven’t been to the playoffs a lot and feel overwhelmed. There’s guys who wonder if they have what it takes to go the distance. And then there’s guys that are confident that have what it takes to go the distance. Out of this, we’ve learned to go the distance. The distance is hard. The growth for our group has been really good. We’ll see if we can build on that and take the next step.” – coach Barry Trotz

Trophy contenders: Ryan Pulock (Norris: 60-1), Mathew Barzal (Hart: 50-1), Ilya Sorokin (Calder: 27-1), Oliver Washlstrom (Calder: 50-1), Kieffer Bellows (Calder: 50-1)

Odds to win Stanley Cup: +3000

Odds to win division: +600

Smart money: If there’s a team that is going to prevent one of the high-profile East Division clubs (Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, Pittsburgh) from making the playoffs, it’s the Islanders. Bet against Trotz at your own peril.