This NHL season has gone exactly as planned, right?
It started in January, three Hart trophy finalists were eliminated before the third round, and the Islanders, Lightning, Canadiens, and Golden Knights comprise the final four.
Just like we all thought, right?
Said no one, ever.
While many people didn’t pick the Isles as a final four team, they’ve proven year in and year out that they cannot be underestimated.
The Isles’ physical, suffocating style of play is enough to stifle even the most lethal offensive weapons, and they were able to outmuscle both the Penguins and the Bruins en route to the final four. The Islanders were technically underdogs in both series, but managed to win them both cleanly in six games.
While some people like the underdog mentality, some people don’t really buy into the narrative. After being called an underdog so many times and proving people wrong time and time again, the Islanders’ Matt Martin is definitely over the title.
Martin is a fan favourite on the Island, and this kind of unwavering, cool confidence is definitely part of the reason why.
Do you think the Isles will be able to get past this big bad Tampa team? Let us know your thoughts @BarDown!
