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New York Islanders: 5 Predictions for Second-Round of NHL Playoffs

By Nick Ziegler

Apr 4, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders left wing Matt Martin (17) reacts after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders left wing Matt Martin (17) reacts after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 21, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Alex Killorn (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the third period of game five of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. The Lightning defeated the Red Wings 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

– Isles handle Lighting power play

The Islanders went into the series with the Panthers with an advantage on paper on special teams, and the same will be true in the second-round. Like the Panthers, the Lightning were one of the worst teams in the NHL this season on the power play, as they ranked 28th in the league with a 15.8 success rate.

Special teams can either make or break a game, and the Islanders should be able to shut down the Lightning’s power play with their excellent penalty kill. The Lightning’s power play did have success against the Red Wings in the first-round, as they were able to total four goals with an extra man. Most of the success was because of Nikita Kucherov, who scored three power-play goals. The absence of Stamkos in the second-round should make the Lightning power play even worse, as he was their leading scorer on the power play in the regular season with 14 goals.

Stopping Kucherov will be key for the Islanders’ penalty kill unit as they will need to win that battle against the Lightning. The Islanders’ fourth-ranked penalty kill shouldn’t have a problem making it tough for a lackluster Lightning power play.

Prediction: Two power goals allowed in the series.

Next: Does Greiss struggle?

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