THE MATCHUPS
The last time they played a game that counted — 144 days ago — the Islanders had just recently slipped out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Saturday, they will jump right into the NHL’s 24-team tournament with a new lease on life.
The Post’s Greg Joyce breaks down the matchups with the Panthers:
GOALTENDING
The Islanders were reportedly interested in Sergei Bobrovsky last offseason, only to see him sign a seven-year, $70 million contract with the Panthers. They then pivoted to land Semyon Varlamov on a four-year, $20 million deal. Now the two will face off with more than bragging rights on the line.
Varlamov is expected to get the start in Game 1, after playing the first two periods of Wednesday’s exhibition against the Rangers. He was solid in his first season with the Islanders, posting a 2.62 goalsagainst average and a .914 save percentage — numbers that were even better before a rough fivegame stretch ahead of the stoppage. Should Barry Trotz opt to use both goalies, Thomas Greiss (2.74 GAA, .913 save percentage) was nearly just as steady this season.
At the other end, which Bobrovsky shows up? The one who became one of the league’s top goalies and was in net for the Blue Jackets during their stunning sweep of the Lightning last postseason, or the one who put up careerworst numbers (3.23 GAA, .900 save percentage) in 48 starts this season? Edge: Islanders.
DEFENSE
The Islanders got a big boost in this category thanks to the delayed postseason. Had COVID-19 not interrupted the season, it’s unlikely
Adam Pelech would have been available for the playoffs. Instead, he is back from a torn Achilles and ready to slot back into the top pairwith Ryan Pulock with the critical task of trying to contain the Panthers’ top weapons.
Pelech’s presence gives the Islanders depth on the blue line, leaving Trotz with some difficult choices regarding his six defensemen — or possibly seven, as the coach left the door open to going with 11 forwards and seven defenseman. Playoff veteran Johnny Boychuk is also back after recovering from taking a skate to the eyelid shortly before the season was paused.
The Panthers get big minutes from their top defensive pairof Aaron Ekblad and
MacKenzie Weegar. Ekblad (36 assists) and Keith Yandle (40 assists) also contribute offensively, with another former Ranger, Anton
Stralman, anchoring the second pair. But on the whole, the Panthers defense was one of the most porous this season — allowing 179 even-strength goals in 69 games.
Edge: Islanders.
FORWARDS
All season, the Islanders tried to find a scoring punch from any of their forwards. They added another option at the trade deadline, bringing in Jean-Gabriel Pageau from the Senators, though he didn’t immediately click in seven games before the season was suspended. Having more time to practice in Trotz’s system during the Phase 3 training camp could benefit him as he tries to provide stability to an uneven third line.
The top line of Anders Lee,
Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle will look to keep its chemistry intact, but the reunion of the Islanders’ fourth line cannot be overlooked. Matt Martin, Casey
Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck — the “Identity Line” — are back together after Cizikas had been sidelined in February with a leg laceration.
The Panthers certainly have more dangerous weapons up top, with leftwing Jonathan Huberdeau
(23 goals, 55 assists), center
Aleksander Barkov (20 goals, 42 assists) and center Mike
Hoffman (29 goals, 30 assists) leading the way. They were near the top of the league, averaging 3.3 goals per game (including 2.59 at even strength), while the Islanders were closer to the bottom with 2.78 goals per game (2.26 at even strength). Edge: Panthers.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Panthers showed a more dangerous power play during the regular season, converting at a 21.33 percent
clip, which was 10th-best unit in the league. The manadvantage allowed their skill to show off, with Hoffman and Evgenii
Dadonov scoring 11 power-play goals apiece.
What the Islanders lacked in power-play punch (17.26 percent) they made up for on the penalty kill, killing off 80.68 percent of penalties successfully. Having Pelech and Cizikas healthy again should only help that cause.
The Panthers’ penalty kill was not far behind at 78.49 percent, though, giving them the nod in this one.
Edge: Panthers. COACHING
Talk about a powerhouse matchup. There will be no lack of experience — especially of the playoff variety — behind the benches with Barry Trotz squaring off against Joel Quenneville. The veteran duo have combined to coach 336 career playoff games.
Edge: Even.
PREDICTION
The Islanders will benefit from having Pelech back, and if he can helpthemslow down the Panthers’ top offensive threats, Trotz’s system should win out.
Islanders in five.