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New York Islanders vs. Florida Panthers: 5 Predictions for the First Round of NHL Playoffs

By Nick Ziegler

Nov 27, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1) makes a save in front of Florida defenseman Brian Campbell (51) and New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) in the first period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1) makes a save in front of Florida defenseman Brian Campbell (51) and New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) in the first period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Islanders
Nov 14, 2014; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1) falls trying to stop a goal by New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo (21) in a shootout at BB&T Center. The Islanders won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

– Tough to get it by one of your own

It was a very long time ago, but the Islanders selected Panthers’ goalie Roberto Luongo with the fourth pick in the 1997 NHL Draft. After one season with the Islanders, Luongo was traded to the Florida Panthers for his first stint with the team before coming back a few seasons ago.

It has been another very good season for Luongo in Florida, as he totaled a 35-19-6 record, 2.35 GAA, and .922 save percentage. It has been a few years since Luongo has been in the playoffs, but he does have a good amount of experience in the postseason. In his postseason career, Luongo has a 32-31 record, 2.54 GAA, five shutouts, and a .916 save percentage.

The Islanders are 11th in the NHL in goals per game, but their offense has been doing better in the final few weeks of the season with some line changes made by Jack Capuano. If Luongo can handle John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, and Frans Nielsen, he will have a very good series as the Islanders don’t have much depth offensively.

This will be his first postseason with the Panthers and having a cool calm and collected goalie with help the Panthers in their opening series.

Prediction: 2.25 GAA, .925 save percentage.

Next: Special teams battle

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