The New York Islanders will battle the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday night in Raleigh to start their 2021-22 NHL regular season. The Islanders have opened their season against the Hurricanes before. In 2014, the Islanders opened their season in Raleigh; in 2018, the Islanders opened their season in Raleigh; now in 2021, the Islanders will open their season Raleigh again.

In 2014, there was hype around the Islanders’ commencing their season. The Islanders were playing in what was thought to be the last season at the Nassau Coliseum. Additionally, the team had just acquired Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy on the backend.

In 2018, there was also excitement around the Islanders on opening night. In 2018, Barry Trotz made his first appearance behind the Islanders bench with Lou Lamoriello watching over, as it was his first game since taking over as General Manager and President of hockey operations. Anders Lee had just been named captain, too.

Now, in 2021, there is much excitement around the Islanders because, for the first time in decades, the Islanders are considered Stanley Cup Favorites.

Yes, that is correct. The New York Islanders are one of the favorites – along with the Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning – to win the Stanley Cup.

Sports Illustrated has ranked the Islanders third in its preseason power rankings. CBS Sports has ranked the Islanders fifth. Bleacher Report has ranked the Islanders third. Sporting News has ranked the Islanders third, as well. NBC Sports has the Islanders fifth. NHL.com has the Islanders fourth. Sportsnet has the Islanders fifth. Yahoo.com ranked the Islanders third on their list. DraftKings Sportsbook has the Islanders with the second-best odds to win it all, behind the Avalanche.

These high power rankings to start the 2021-22 season are an enormously different projection than where the Islanders were ranked to start the 2018 season. To start the 2018 season, most analysts projected them to be a dumpster fire.

High expectations for the Islanders will create increased pressure for the team. However, chances are the Islanders are not paying attention to what people are saying on the outside. After being projected to finish last in their division and miss the playoffs in 2018, the Islanders did not listen to outside noise. The team focused on taking care of business and winning hockey games. And the Islanders should not take their foot off the pedal, either, now that they are finally getting recognized as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

The Islanders are a tight-knit group and know their potential better than anybody else. They have had their eyes set on the Stanley Cup for three seasons. Being favorites to win the Stanley Cup does not change anything for the Islanders.

Ethan Halle

Ethan is an Economics Major at the University of Florida looking to pursue a double major in Sports Management with a minor in political science.