It was a long and arduous journey for the New York Islanders this season, yet after what has been a rollercoaster ride over the last five months, they booked their place in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Finishing fourth in the East Division was just enough for the Islanders to get there, during what has been an atypical campaign featuring the unique divisional realignment, and an altered format for the Playoffs.

Furthermore, beating the New York Rangers to secure passage into the Playoffs, that just made everything taste even sweeter for Islanders fans.

Despite the fact that the New York Islanders are considered outsiders to win the Stanley Cup, they cannot be underestimated. As we all know, there is a huge difference between the regular season campaign compared to the pressure of competing in the Playoffs. These games frequently produce upsets, with every chance for the underdogs to bark loudest.

THIS. TEAM. pic.twitter.com/RcO6dgrgxI

— x – New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) May 2, 2021

As we head into the Playoffs, fans of the NHL around the globe will be looking carefully at the latest online betting odds. Even in faraway outposts like Japan, where hockey has yet to gain a strong foothold, there are American and Canadian expats, and a growing number of new fans, spreading the love for the NHL and the Stanley Cup.

According to the majority of leading sportsbooks, the two favorites are Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights, with both of those teams dominant in the West Division and boasting talented rosters. As the reigning 2020 Stanley Cup champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning are also fancied to repeat their success of last year.

Backing for the Toronto Maple Leafs has also grown of late, due to them comfortably blowing away their all-Canadian opposition in the North Division. Given how long it has been since a ‘Great White North’ franchise won the Stanley Cup, they practically carry the hopes of an entire nation. The Montreal Canadiens were the last, when they lifted the trophy in 1993.

Once we look beyond the aforementioned teams, all of whom are considered the strongest contenders to win the Stanley Cup, it really is open amongst the other hopefuls, including the New York Islanders, who fell just short last year. After making it all the way to the Conference Finals in 2020, dreams of success were eventually struck down by the Lightning struck down by the Lightning.

Nevertheless, even with lower expectations in the Playoffs amongst the sportsbook oddsmakers, the Islanders will be in absolutely no doubt about their own ambitions. They want to go all the way this time and based on regular season displays, fans have every reason to feel positive about their chances.

Those glorious years of dynasty dominance were a long time ago. When the Islanders were untouchable, winning the Stanley Cup four times in a row between 1979-80 and 1982-84, before the elusive fifth was denied by Edmonton Oilers in 1983-84.

Patiently waiting since that amazing era, Nee York Islanders fans can do little but hope that this season will produce a genuine shot at landing the biggest prize in ice hockey.

John Smark