The NHL playoffs in 2020 roll on to the semifinals of Saturday’s conference with the Colorado Avalanche taking over the Dallas Stars.
The Islanders swept the Flyers in the three-game series of regular-season clubs, but Philly has been one of the toughest teams in the Toronto bubble. Who will come out on top in the series starting Monday?
Note: Advanced stats are from Hockey Reference, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey
More: Watch the full NHL postseason schedule here.
What we learned in the first round: The Flyers turned a lot of heads for the way they regular season (with the Bruins tied for the best record from Jan. 8) rounded the table in round-robin play to earn a No. 1 seed. While the Philadelphia defense – marked by rising stars Ivan Provorov, Philippe Myers and Travis Sanheim – went on to win rave reviews, his offense showed off against the Montreal Canadiens, scoring just 11 goals in six games. Philly wow no one with how to eliminate Montreal. But style points do not matter at this time of year. The important thing is that the Flyers did it, moving on to the first round for the first time since 2012. It’s a very special moment for the franchise, which had excellent prospects and is now coming to see the plan.
Barry Trotz coaches the madmen from the islanders. New York defeated Trotz’s old friends – a much flashier team of Washington Capitals – with its signature stinking defensive structure and focus. The Islands, who should have allowed more than 30 shots in a game this postseason, have outscored teams 11-4 in third periods. They also come alive from offense, averaging 3.33 goals per game, fourth best among teams this summer – and a significant uptick of their 2.78 goals per game in the regular season. That’s mostly thanks to the top two lines, because depth production remains an issue.
First line: Coach Alain Vigneault has shaken up the Flyers lines a lot this summer, but Sean Couturier and Jakub Voracek are first-line constants. Voracek is on a try (four goals, seven points in six games against Montreal) and we all know what Couturier delivers defensively. It would be nice to see rookie Joel Farabee (two goals vs. Montreal) get more perspective with the duo. The New York trio of Jordan Eberle, Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee control possession and have been on the ice this summer for just one goal against at 5-on-5. However, wait for more of an offensive breakout from the trio. Advantage: Band
Depth: Look no further, but second-line Anthony Beauvillier is tied for the summer lead with six goals. The 23-year-old has arrived. Beauvillier’s line, with him alongside underrated Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey, has been a revelation for New York, which is still not getting a (and probably not much expected) production of the bottom six. The Flyers have a more well-rounded bottom nine, including X-factor James van Riemsdyk. The veteran has been in and out of the lineup as a healthy scratch, but was able to add a good quiet impetus – especially on the power play. Advantage: Flyers
Defense: Since the Flyers’ top scorers were struggling to break through against Montreal, they will rely heavily on their blue line. That’s good, because Philly’s defense team is solid, with a good group of boys and veterans, plus a mix of styles. Shayne Gostisbehere is trying to resist his career and might come in for an extra offensive boost. You know what you’ll get from the Islanders’ defense, and it’s hard to get through. New York has conceded 1.67 goals per game through its nine games so far. The Islands also block 18.62 shots per 60 minutes, most of which remain from each team in the tournament. Advantage: Band
Goal Tending: The spotlight was on 22-year-old Carter Hart in the first round, and he delivered for Philadelphia, from then to toe with his child idol, Carey Price. Hart had two dudes games against Montreal, but in each case he played back nicely (including back-to-back shutouts in games 3 and 4 after he was drawn in Game 2). Hart leads all goals in the bubble (minimum six starts) with a 0.943 save percentage. But it’s hard to find many mistakes at the moment with the Islanders’ Semyon Varlamov, who has a .934 saving percentage through nine games. Advantage: Band
Coaching: It’s a matchup of two veteran coaches. Trotz and Vigneault rank fourth and 10th in career games coaches, respectively, in NHL history. Both teams have participated in long playoff runs and are not afraid to adapt their lineups for matchup edges – meaning veterans like Derick Brassard (Islanders) or van Riemsdyk (Flyers) will make healthy scratches, things that some coaches be afraid to do at this point. Advantage: Band
Special teams: Woe is the Flyers’ power play, which looked out of place until Voracek scored a couple of power-play goals in Game 5 against the Canadiens (a possible loss). The Philly male advantage is working at just 10.3% this summer (not great at all) and will be a focal point. The islands are more populous, at 15.8%. Statistically, Philly (80.7%) has a better penalty kill than New York (75% at the moment). Advantage: Band
Prediction: Flyers in six. While this may form a tight defensive battle, the Flyers have a more explosive lead. If the Philadelphia crime can get past what it is then against Montreal, it could move forward.
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