The Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders are meeting in the playoffs again.
They’re facing off in the NHL playoffs for the second year in a row, marking their third postseason clash in six years. The Hurricanes came out on top in both previous matchups, including a series win last year.
According to Bet MGM Sportsbook, the Hurricanes are favored to win the Stanley Cup. The series begins with Game 1 on Saturday, with Carolina hosting the best-of-7 matchup.
Under Rod Brind’Amour, the Hurricanes have made the playoffs six times in a row, aiming for the Cup after reaching the Eastern Conference Final twice.
Team president and general manager Don Waddell expressed satisfaction with the team’s consistency but emphasized the need to take the next step.
Both teams are entering the playoffs after strong finishes to the regular season, though their journeys were different.
The Hurricanes had the league’s second-best record since the March 8 trade deadline, securing a playoff spot well in advance and aiming for higher seeding.
On the other hand, the Islanders won eight of their last nine games to secure a playoff spot just days before the regular season ended. This followed a turbulent season that included a coaching change in January and a rough patch in mid-March.
Islanders captain Anders Lee emphasized the importance of playing their best hockey at the right time and building on their recent success.
