Islanders finding early playoff success despite tough circumstances

Islanders defenceman Thomas Hickey (centre) celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal against the Panthers with teammates Shane Prince (left) and Josh Bailey (right) in overtime of Game 3 of their first round playoff series at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Sunday, April 17, 2016. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)NEW YORK - They play in a place where sports history means Pee Wee Reese and Duke Snider and the long-departed Dodgers, not Denis Potvin and Mike Bossy and the new-kids-on-the-block Islanders.

They play in a basketball arena where a small chunk of fans can’t see one of the nets. Their home is more like a home away from home, since most of their players live and practice 50…