There’s a single game left in the 2018-19 regular season. On Saturday, the New York Islanders will play against 2019 Metropolitan Division champions Washington Capitals. A single point for the Islanders will give them home-ice advantage in the first round.
When you get to the playoffs every team is looking for any and all advantage they can get. Playing the first two games at home in a seven-game series is, we’re told, one of those advantages.
Home teams get that decibel breaking home crowd and the home team also gets the last change on the ice.