Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders Odds: 2016 NHL Playoffs
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Mike Schultz
This is only the second time that the Florida Panthers have clinched a playoff berth in fifteen years, and they did it with a young roster being led by legendary veterans like Jaromor Jagr, who had a fantastic season. Aaron Ekblad and Aleksander Barkov put up excellent numbers, and goaltender Roberto Luongo has been phenomenal for them. The Panthers will face off against the New York Islanders, who are making their second straight playoff appearance. The Islanders have struggled in the post-season and haven’t made it past the first round in 23 years. Bet on the Islanders vs. Panthers series in the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs right here.
Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1: Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders
Series Winner Odds:Panthers -186, Islanders +132
Game Dates: 4/14 @ FLA, 4/15 @ FLA, 4/17 @ NYI , 4/20 @ NYI, *4/22 @ FLA, *4/24 @ NYI, *4/26 @ FLA
Home Team Advantage: Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Panthers had six players reach the 50-point mark and four players with 25 or more goals for the first time in franchise history. Their relatively young roster have been huge upstarts this season, Aleksander Barkov in particular, but that means limited playoff experience. They’ll be counting on their vets to lead the team, and no one is more equipped to do that than Jaromir Jagr. Roberto Luongo has also reclaimed his status as an elite goalie this season, and has plenty of playoff experience, albeit most of it heartbreaking. The Panthers are weak on the power play and on the penalty kill, where they rank in the bottom third of the league. They’ll have to find a way to overcome these special team issues if they want to make it past the first round.
New York Islanders
The Islanders are coming into this series with a couple big problems that could make it easier for the young Panthers team to find their rhythm against them. Captain John Tavares has had one of the worst offensive seasons in his career, although he started to heat up near the close of the regular season. Goaltender Jaroslav Halak is out with a lower-body injury, leaving the job to backup goalie Thomas Greiss, who has only played in one playoff game in his career. What they do have going for them is that they are one of the league’s most physical teams, second only to the Kings when it comes to hits. The fourth line of Cal Clutterbuck, Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin can be a brutal force and the Islanders will be counting on them to challenge the young Panthers team.
Prediction: Panthers in 6