The sixteen qualified for the NHL play-offs are now known. The New York Islanders clinched the last available ticket in the East on Wednesday by beating Montreal 4-2.
Deprived of the final series last season, the Islanders will know their opponents in the 1st round of the play-off at the end of the match which should oppose Carolina (2nd in the Conference) and Florida (8th) on Thursday. The New York franchise, which concluded its regular season on Wednesday, is one point ahead of Florida.
The qualification of the Islers is also synonymous with elimination for the Penguins of Sidney Crosby. It’s the first time since the 2005/2006 season, the Pittsburgh superstar’s first in the Big League, that the Penguins have missed the play-offs. It was the longest running streak of its kind in the four major North American leagues (NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL).
/ATS