The Islanders surprised nearly everybody around the NHL other than themselves this season under new president and general manager Lou Lamoriello and coach Barry Trotz.
The new management instantly changed the formerly laissez-faire work environment into a strict one of accountability. On the ice, Trotz and the new coaching staff turned the Islanders from the Swiss-cheese defense that allowed an NHL-worst 293 goals in 2017-18 – the most in the league since 2007 – to a team that allowed an NHL-low 196 goals.
The team made the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and had home-ice advantage through its two rounds – the first time since 1988 – sweeping the Penguins before being swept by the Hurricanes.