While the New York Islanders are preparing for the 2022-23 season, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are in full swing. The Conference Finals are underway and the Stanley Cup Final is almost set. However, as teams have gotten eliminated, several former Islanders have also been sent home from the field of 16 teams. At the beginning of the playoffs, there were seven teams with former Islanders onboard, but that number is now down to three. With the Stanley Cup Final on the horizon, how did each of these teams stack up?

Toronto Maple Leafs:

Once again, the Toronto Maple Leafs desperately needed to go deep in the playoffs. After five years of first round eliminations, the Leafs had a difficult challenge ahead of them in the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning. After the two teams traded wins in the first five games, the Leafs had a window to end their playoff series win drought in Game 6 in Tampa. However, the Bolts managed to force Game 7, and Nick Paul helped Tampa steal the series in Toronto, forcing Toronto to bow out in Game 7 of the opening round once again.

As for the former Islander in that series, John Tavares was one of Toronto’s top performers. Despite criticism in the regular season, Tavares was one of their best players late in the series. He scored the team’s first goal in Game 5 that helped spark a comeback, along with two goals in Game 6. All told, he put up three goals and three assists in the seven games, but like prior years, those are merely footnotes in another Toronto disappointment.

Florida Panthers:

Although the season didn’t end as Florida hoped, they managed to reach new heights this year. After winning the Presidents’ Trophy, Florida won their first playoff series since 1996, defeating the Washington Capitals in six games. Although the Caps gave Florida a run for their money, the team rallied off three straight wins to put themselves in the second round to face their in-state rival in the Lightning. However, Florida was suddenly swept aside by the Bolts.

Despite the sour ending, one of the many reasons they went as far as they did was because of a former Islander farmhand. Carter Verhaeghe had a spectacular postseason, notching six goals and 12 points in the team’s 10 playoff games. Although he was stymied in the second round, he still enjoyed a strong postseason and is one of the many reasons why Florida will be a contender for the long-term.

Carolina Hurricanes:

Even with the success of the Carolina Hurricanes this season, they struggled for stretches throughout their playoff run. While the Canes were terrific at home, winning all but one game at PNC Arena, they didn’t win any games on the road, going 0-6 in opposing arenas. While that recipe helped them to put away the Boston Bruins in the first round, that formula failed them a round later. Despite going up 3-2 in the series on the New York Rangers, their luck ran out in the final two games. After losing on the road once again, the home magic ran dry as they lost 6-2 in the deciding Game 7, bringing a disappointing end to what was a strong season.

With Carolina’s inconsistencies in the playoffs, one of the players who fell into that spell was former Islanders’ forward Nino Niederreiter. His offense was there in the first two games against Boston, as he recorded three goals in two games. However, from there, his offense was non-existent, as he put up only two goals and one helper in the 12 games that followed. Although several key pieces to their core also faltered, depth wins championships, and Niederreiter’s struggles are just an example. While Carolina will more than likely be back with their talent, this loss is a missed opportunity for the Hurricanes.

St. Louis Blues:

The St. Louis Blues were considered a bit of a sleeper team after the first round. They knocked off another potential threat in the Minnesota Wild in six games, sparking some optimism for a return to the Stanley Cup Final. However their next opponent was the Colorado Avalanche, the top-seed in the Western Conference. St. Louis did their best to conquer a heavyweight contender, splitting the first two in Denver. However, Jordan Binnington was knocked out in Game 3, forcing the Blues’ goalie out for the series. Darren Helm scored in the closing seconds of Game 6, giving the Avalanche a 3-2 win and breaking the hearts of St. Louis.

For the Blues, one of their contributors this postseason was former Islanders’ defenseman Nick Leddy. Despite an injury that knocked him out for Games 2-4 of the first round, he came back and played the hockey Islanders’ fans are familiar with. Leddy scored only one goal in the postseason, but it was a big one to open the scoring in Game 6 against Minnesota. Add a few more assists and a plus-minus of +4, and Leddy provided valuable experience to the Blues’ playoff run. However, Colorado’s talent was just too much, as the Blues’ season is over after a gut-wrenching loss.

Remaining Pieces:

Three former Islanders remain in the playoffs. Ryan Strome of the Rangers is one of them. After overcoming deficits against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Hurricanes, the team is looking to knock off the two-time champion Lightning, and, despite a Game 3 setback, they hold a 2-1 series lead. Although Strome hasn’t done much — two goals and seven assists in 17 games — he has left his mark on their success. He scored a goal in their Game 7 win in Carolina and notched assists in the final three games of their comeback against the Penguins. While the likes of Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox and Chris Kreider have stolen the show, Strome has performed well in a depth scoring role.

The remaining two pieces are both in the Western Conference Final. For the Colorado Avalanche, former Islanders’ Devon Toews is on another deep postseason run. In 13 games, he has four goals and eight assists to his credit, along with a +10 rating. With several timely moments throughout the playoffs, Toews will look to finally reach the Stanley Cup Final, with Colorado holding a 3-0 lead on the Edmonton Oilers.

Meanwhile, former Islanders’ goalie Mikko Koskinen is on the brink of elimination. Koskinen hasn’t had much playing time this postseason, backing up Mike Smith in net for the Oilers. He made an appearance in his team’s Game 1 barnburner against the Calgary Flames, taking the loss after letting up five goals. After a brief appearance in Game 3 of the series, he also appeared in another high-scoring affair in Game 1 against Colorado. He took the loss again, but he made 20 saves on 21 shot after Mike Smith left the game, giving the Oilers a chance to win. However, with Edmonton on the brink, it’s possible he could play in Game 4 tonight.

As the playoffs reach their apex, one of these three former Islanders could etch their name on the Stanley Cup. Despite the Islanders not being present this postseason, it will be fun to watch as a former player looks to win his first championship.

Matthew Page

I am a first year student at Hofstra University and an avid Islanders fan. I have been writing for Drive4Five since March 2020. My family has been season ticket holders for the team since 2016, and hockey is my favorite sport. As I expand my knowledge in the field of Journalism, I am writing to express my love for the Islanders and the NHL.