After the Islanders took care of their first-round matchup, they kept rolling, with a convincing second-round debut. Monday's 4-0 victory in Game 1 against the Philadelphia Flyers gave the Islanders an edge, with a familiar winning formula coming back into focus.

"For us, that's something we take pride in -- every guy going out there, playing for one another and that's the mindset, kind of the culture that we have in the room," said left wing Anders Lee, whose goal midway through the third period put the Islanders up, 3-0. "We take care of one another and I think it shows out on the ice. And we want to be successful, we want to make a run, we have everyone pulling the rope and guys got to step in when we need them and all those little things.

"But ... top to bottom, pulling down now, everyone that's here in the bubble is extremely important to us and playing a key role in this. And sometimes, those little things, they don't get recognized on the outside. But to us, that means a lot."

With the completion of the five-game series win over the Washington Capitals in the first round, capped by last Thursday's 5-1 victory, the Islanders look to continue the momentum carried into Monday when Game 2 arrives Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Islanders head coach Barry Trotz keeps things simple as his team looks for its ninth victory in 11 contests, since it began the playoff push Aug. 1 against the Florida Panthers -- a four-game series win that clinched the postseason berth at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

"I think the great thing about our group is they keep everything in perspective," Trotz said. "We've got good leadership, starts with Anders and it starts actually about with (general manager) Lou (Lamoriello). The communication throughout our organization, I think, is very solid.

"So I'm not surprised. I knew that we would be ready and we're playing a very good opponent. It was a very good first game."

Popular in the Community