3 Keys: Islanders at Hurricanes, Game 1 of Eastern 1st round 

For the second straight season, the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders meet in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Last season, the Hurricanes defeated the Islanders in six games before losing to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final in four games. Carolina (52-23-7) finished second in the Metropolitan Division and in the Eastern Conference, three points behind the New York Rangers, winners of the Presidents' Trophy.