Notes:
This is the second-ever playoff match-up between the Panthers and Islanders. The Isles won a hard-fought opening round series in six games back in 2016. The last time the Cats actually advanced in the postseason was when they vanquished the Pittsburgh Penguins to take the Eastern Conference Championship in 1996. So, are we finally due or does the long drought continue? The Islanders last playoff win was also against the Penguins, a surprising sweep in last year’s first round. The Panthers looked absolutely dreadful in Wednesday afternoon’s exhibition against the Tampa Bay Lighting.