The Islanders knew what the rest of postseason picture looked like, and that’s part of what made getting swept by the Hurricanes in the second round so difficult to swallow.
The Eastern Conference lost its two top seeds in the first round, with the Lightning and Capitals both falling. If the Islanders had beaten Carolina, they would have moved on to the conference final to play the winner of the Blue Jackets and Bruins. Instead, the Hurricanes are the current favorite to win the Stanley Cup, pending other second-round outcomes.
Boston would likely become the favorite if they advance, but the Bruins are in a dogfight of a series in which they lead 3-2 over John Tortorella’s Columbus club.