NHL Playoffs: The New York Islanders Are Making Noise

The New York Islanders seeking their first NHL semi-final appearance since 1993 won the series opener at Tampa Bay vs the Lightning last night.

Tampa opened the series as about an 8 to 5 favorite but those odds will now be a little higher say 9 to 5 but in favor of the Islanders.

Playing in their first year in Brooklyn, New York the Islanders’ playoff success has revitalized the franchise after the move from Long Island where they played in their first 42 completed seasons from (1972-1973) – (2014-2015.) There was no NHL season in (2004-2005).

A once glorious team that won 4 Stanley Cup crowns in a row (1980-1983) and made semi-final appearances 9 times in 10 seasons (1975-1984), the Islanders won just their second playoff series ever without legendary coach Al Arbour when they beat the Florida Panthers in the opening round of this year’s playoffs.

Arbour died last year and the Islanders’ uniforms have “Al” on them. The only other time the Isles won a playoff series without Arbour as coach was in 1987 under Terry Simpson. Their current coach is Jack Capuano.