Remarkably, the Islanders are facing their second-round opponent, the Bruins, for just the third time in their playoff history and for the first time in 38 years.
The Islanders have won both previous series, both en route to the Stanley Cup. The Islanders beat the Bruins in five games in a fight-filled quarterfinal series in 1980 and in six games in 1983.
Here’s a position-by-position look at these teams:
Forwards
The Bruins’ Perfection Line of Brad Marchand (29 goals, 40 assists), Patrice Bergeron (23 goals, 25 assists) and David Pastrnak (20 goals, 28 assists) is one of the two best lines in the NHL and Taylor Hall skating with David Krejci on the second line just lengthens a deep group that also has size and grit.