We meet again: Hurricanes and Islanders reunite to open NHL playoffs for 2nd straight year

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders are getting another postseason reunion.

The teams are meeting in the first round of the NHL playoffs for the second straight season, and this marks the third time the teams will meet in six postseasons. The Hurricanes won both previous matchups, including a six-game series in last year’s first round.

The Hurricanes are the favorite to win the Stanley Cup, according to Bet MGM Sportsbook, as they enter Saturday’s Game 1 at home in this best-of-7 series. Carolina is in the playoffs for the sixth time in as many seasons under Rod Brind’Amour, continuing a multi-year push for the Cup that has twice ended in the Eastern Conference Final.

“The consistency’s been great but now we’ve got to take that next step,” team president and general manager Don Waddell said Friday.