The Islanders will be well-rested come Round 2 — their opponent not so much.
Just two days after knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals in a thrilling double-overtime clincher, the Carolina Hurricanes will head to Brooklyn on Friday for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Islanders, left waiting since a sweep of the Penguins on April 16, will keep home-ice advantage by virtue of finishing four points over the Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division standings. Head-to-head, the Isles took three-of-four from their next adversary.
Here are the times and dates for the Isles’ next series (* denotes if necessary)
Game 1: Hurricanes @ Islanders | 7 p.m. Friday, April 26
Game 2: Hurricanes @ Islanders | 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28
Game 3: Islanders @ Hurricanes | 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 1
Game 4: Islanders @ Hurricanes | 7 p.m. Friday, May 3
* Game 5: Hurricanes @ Islanders | TBD Sunday, May 5
* Game 6: Islanders @ Hurricanes | TBD Tuesday, May 7
* Game 7: Hurricanes @ Islanders | TBD Wednesday, May 8