Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech checks Bruins right wing Ondrej Kase to the ice in the second period on May 10, 2021, in Boston. Credit: AP/Elise Amendola
The Islanders and the Bruins, their second-round playoff opponent, had an odd eight-game season series, with the first four games at Nassau Coliseum – all tied entering the third period – and then four in Boston.
The Islanders went 5-2-1, but the Bruins were the more dominant team after acquiring Taylor Hall from the Sabres on April 12, giving them a strong second line to support their "Perfection Line" of Patrice Bergeron between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak.