Islanders and Penguins
The Toronto Maple Leafs stole their franchise player and they promptly came out and finished ahead of them in the standings.
It’s a nice story, but one no one will remember once the Leafs beat the Bruins and the Islanders go out in the first round.
This is probably the worst 100 point team in NHL history, and they owe it entirely to the improbable career seasons from Thomas Greiss and Robin Lehner.
Someone these two previously unspectacular borderline NHL starters turned in what should be a combined Vezina Trophy season. The Islanders don’t control the play, they have limited offense and are always outplayed.
And yet they won game after game. It’s a nice story, but the ending is a four game sweep by the massively superior Penguins.
Lou Lamoriello hired a coach, traded for two fourth liners and a bottom pairing defenseman, then signed a goalie for a bargain because he was terrible the season before.
If that sounds like a recipe for success, then I guess Lou should win GM of the year award, which he probably will because THE REST OF THIS SENTENCE HAS BEEN REDACTED.
Penguins in Four.