The pesky Islanders will face the big bad Bruins in the Second Round after they clinched a playoff series victory at Nassau Coliseum for the first time since 1993 on Wednesday. As tough as the Bruins are to play against, the Islanders can beat anyone, including the Bruins. Here’s how.

1. Take Advantage of the Old Barn

Despite losing Game 3, the Islanders were so successful at the Coliseum in the playoffs. In the two games they won, it was clear the Islanders were the better team. During the 2019 playoffs, the Islanders were 2-0 at the Coliseum. When they went to Barclays Center for round two, both the team and the arena were lifeless. This year, the Islanders were 21-4-3 at home. If the Islanders want to win this series they have to win games at home.

2. Shut Down The Bruins’ Star Players

The Islanders’ defense shut down Sidney Crosby in the first round, holding him to one goal and one assist in six games. Now, they have to shut down the Bruins’ star players such as David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Taylor Hall. The Islanders’ defense was extremely good at shutting down the Penguins’ star players. The Islanders have been playing some of their best hockey and need to stick to their defensive identity. The Islanders’ defense will win them this series and the offense will come later.

3. First Line Needs to Step Up

The first line was decent in the First Round but the second line, and you can argue the fourth line, stole the show. Mat Barzal has done a great job of generating chances in the offensive zone, starting rushes and setting up plays, but he has been quiet on the scoresheet. Jordan Eberle had two huge goals in the First Round and Leo Komarov has been a fantastic forechecker and backchecker. Islanders fans and Barry Trotz expect more out of the first line in the Second Round against the Bruins.

4. Ilya Sorokin Stays Hot

Ilya Sorokin has effectively stolen the starting job from Semyon Varlamov and is leading the Islanders into the Second Round. He has a 4-0 playoff record with a .943 save percentage and a 1.95 goals against average. He has been hotter than the sun in round one and must continue this against Boston.

After Semyon Varlamov lost Games 2 and 3, Sorokin propelled the Islanders to three straight wins. He almost recorded a shutout in Game 4 and single-handedly propelled the Islanders to an overtime win in Game 5.

However, he has to be better than 34-year-old veteran Tuukka Rask, one of the best goalies in the league. The Islanders have done well against Rask this season but they have to be better. If Sorokin stays hot, he can lead the Islanders to a Stanley Cup

5. Play The Trap

The Islanders aren’t the flashiest team to watch, but they find a way to win games. Their strategy is to clog the neutral zone, force a turnover and skate towards the opposition and create a scoring chance. That’s how they won Game 5. The team struggled to generate offense but stuck to their game plan and won. They kept opposing shots to the outside and focused on defense.

It only took one good forecheck for Jordan Eberle to tie Game 5, and Bailey’s overtime winner was due to another aggressive play that forced Tristian Jarry into a mistake. The Islanders need to suffocate the Bruins’ offense and score timely goals.

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John Smark