BRANDON, Fla. — Goaltending, special teams, health and puck luck. That’s what Islanders coach Jack Capuano says has been a long-time formula for winning in the post-season.
“Ever since I’ve been involved in the game, that’s what it comes down to in playoff hockey,” Capuano said on Friday at the Lightning’s practice center, where the Islanders skated for an hour.
Capuano wouldn’t rank the four elements in any order. But in today’s NHL, many general managers, coaches and players would add a fifth element: Speed.
And the Islanders, who are preparing for Game 2 of the best-of-seven playoff series on Saturday, have to get a handle on the quick-strike Lightning to prevent the series from being tied at a game apiece before the teams come to Brooklyn for Games 3 and 4 next week.