NHL playoffs matchups, prediction: Islanders-Penguins going 7

After getting to within two wins of the Stanley Cup final during the bubble playoffs last season, the Islanders are ravenous to taste the finals this season. But a rather evenly matched series against the Penguins will be their first obstacle to getting back to the conference finals and ultimately going further than last season. It’ll be a rematch of the memorable 2019 first round, in which the Islanders swept the Penguins in four games.

“Last year gives you a taste of how hard it can be, how fun it can be,” Cal Clutterbuck said. “Last years’ experience was, in my 13 or 14 years, was more than I’ve ever experienced when you come close like that and you realize that you have the guys in the room to get it done. It changes your perception of the playoffs, and it changes your perception of how hard it’s going to be.” The Islanders went 2-6 against Pittsburgh this season, including four losses during their most successful stints in February and March. What is more concerning, though, is that the Islanders fell into a rut to end the regular season. The Penguins, on the other hand, powered themselves into the first seed in the East Division.