The Carolina Hurricanes, betting favorites to win the 2024 Stanley Cup, have officially punched a ticket to the second round with a 4-1 series win over the New York Islanders.
After winning the first three, and despite two power-play goals on the evening, the Canes and their uncharacteristic face-off woes dropped Game 4 in double overtime on the Island.
The Islanders showed real fight forcing a Game 5, and Mat Barzal had one of his best playoff series yet. But despite New York's effort and the careless mistakes the Hurricanes displayed, the talent disparage between the two teams loomed as large as anticipated in this mismatch.