The 2024 NHL playoffs begin with the Islanders and Hurricanes meeting again for a first-round series in Raleigh.
Same teams, but many differences from last year — a different coach for the Islanders, obviously, but also this year they should have a healthy Mat Barzal rather than the one just returning from injury last season. However Noah Dobson, who’s had a breakout year, is in that position Barzal had last year, entering the lineup fresh off an injury, and perhaps not 100%. J-G Pageau, who’s kind of a shell of his playoff prime self but had found some effectiveness recently with Pierre Engvall and Anders Lee, is a “gametime decision.