(AP) New York Islanders (42-31-9, fourth in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (52-21-9, first in the Metropolitan Division)
Raleigh, North Carolina; Monday, 7 p.m. EDT
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Hurricanes host series opener
BOTTOM LINE: The Carolina Hurricanes host the New York Islanders to open the Eastern Conference first round. The teams meet Friday for the fifth time this season. The Hurricanes went 3-1 against the Islanders during the regular season. In their last regular season matchup on Oct. 28, the Islanders won 6-2. Brock Nelson led the Islanders with two goals.
Carolina has a 52-21-9 record overall and a 19-6-1 record in Metropolitan Division play. The Hurricanes have a 19-3-0 record when scoring a power-play goal.
New York has a 42-31-9 record overall and a 16-8-2 record in Metropolitan Division games. The Islanders have a 35-6-4 record when scoring at least three goals.T
TOP PERFORMERS: Sebastian Aho has 36 goals and 32 assists for the Hurricanes. Brent Burns has five goals and two assists over the past 10 games.
Nelson has 36 goals and 39 assists for the Islanders. Kyle Palmieri has scored four goals with three assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hurricanes: 5-5-0, averaging 2.5 goals, four assists, 3.1 penalties and 6.2 penalty minutes while giving up 2.3 goals per game.
Islanders: 5-4-1, averaging 2.7 goals, 4.5 assists, 2.3 penalties and 5.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.1 goals per game.
INJURIES: Hurricanes: Ondrej Kase: out (concussion), Jake Gardiner: out (hip/back), Max Pacioretty: out (achilles), Andrei Svechnikov: out for season (knee).
Islanders: Alexander Romanov: day to day (undisclosed), Mathew Barzal: out (lower body), Oliver Wahlstrom: out for season (lower body).
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)