Isles-Flyers battle for a spot in Eastern Conference Finals

The Islanders and Flyers took care of business in their openings rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs and will now face off for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.

News 12 Staff

Aug 24, 2020, 8:50 PM

Updated 1,567 days ago

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The Islanders and Flyers took care of business in their openings rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs and will now face off for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.
It's the second consecutive season the Isles have advanced to the second round, although the Hurricanes swept New York last season.
"We just lost the rhythm, our mojo a little bit," said Trotz about their 2019 exit. "This is good. You get a day or two to rest up, get guys closer to 100%. And you get ready for an opponent we are playing basically our next four games in the next six days."
The Flyers pose a different challenge than the Panthers and Capitals. The Islanders are the best 5-on-5 team so far in the bubble, while Philly is second.
The Flyers have an elite goalie in Carter Hart, who has saved over 94% of the shots he's faced in the playoffs.
The puck drops for Game 1 at 7 p.m.
SERIES PREDICTION:
Rob Del Muro, News 12 Sports Producer: These two teams have a lot of similarities. Good defensive structure, depth down the middle, a struggling power play and great head coaches.
The Isles swept the season series, but that was before Philly found their way under Vigneault. I didn't think the Isles would play a team with as much trouble on the PP as they've had, but the Flyers have been just that. Expect some very low scoring games ... the types of game the Isles are used to winning.
The first goal will be huge, as both teams know how to play shutdown hockey protecting a lead. In the end, the Isles have more talent and depth on the blue line and if Semyon Varlamov can continue to keep his save percentage over .920, the Isles will win in six games.