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Carolina Hurricanes: Three Keys to Starting Round Two with a Win

By Tony Trotmann

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 24: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals and Justin Williams #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes shake hands after the Hurricanes defeated the Capitals 4-3 in the second overtime period in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 24: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals and Justin Williams #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes shake hands after the Hurricanes defeated the Capitals 4-3 in the second overtime period in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JANUARY 08: Justin Williams #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 08, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Hurricanes defeated the Islanders 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JANUARY 08: Justin Williams #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 08, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Hurricanes defeated the Islanders 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

1. Punish Them for Mistakes

The New York Islanders lead all teams in this season’s playoffs in goals against, they have only gave up 1.50 on average per game. That is phenomenal and the Hurricanes will need to figure this team out early. They need to punish the Islanders for mistakes quickly and use odd-man rushes to get quality chances on Robin Lehner, who has been excellent so far.

In the series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders, the Islanders swept the Penguins and limited the Penguins to only one goal in three out of the four games they played.

Despite the stars like Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel, the Islanders have shown us that they are quick to repair their defensive mistakes and figure teams out relatively fast. The Penguins scored three goals in Game 1 but the Islanders studied this team and ended the Penguins offensive success in Games 2 and after.

Although the Hurricanes should figure out the Islanders in Game 1 early, the Islanders are quick to adapt and Rod Brind’Amour should be cautious of that. What might work in Game 1 might not work in the games after, the Hurricanes will need to adapt with the Islanders as long as it gets them the win.

Barry Trotz‘s coaching skill has been obvious this year and year’s past, with leading the Capitals to a Stanley Cup and this year, bringing a non-playoff team to a Stanley Cup contender. This will be a good battle of two Jack Adams coaching candidates.

The Islanders have scored 3.50 goals on average per game in the playoffs so far, with their four games against the Penguins. The Islanders in the first round have shown a preference to a possessive game with a decent amount of quality shots rather than a high quantity of shots.

Compared to the Capitals, the Islanders are fond of cycling around in the offensive zone to break their defensive opponents. The Hurricanes will need to play with speed to combat the cycling play of the Islanders.

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