CAPITALS, ISLANDERS MEET IN PLAYOFFS FOR FIRST TIME IN 22 YEARS
The Capitals play host to the Islanders at Verizon Center in Game 1 of their First Round series, marking the first playoff meeting between these teams in 22 years. New York has won five of their six prior matchups, including a six-game series victory in their most recent meeting in the 1993 Patrick Division Semifinals – headlined by three consecutive overtime wins in Games 2-4. The Capitals and Islanders also staged one of the most famous games in Stanley Cup Playoffs history – 1987’s “Easter Epic.” In that contest, which began on the Saturday before Easter and concluded at 1:58 a.m. local time, Pat LaFontaine scored at 8:47 of the fourth overtime period to lift New York to the Patrick Division Final. It stands as the longest Game 7 in Stanley Cup Playoffs history.

Although the Capitals and Islanders both finished with 101 points and split their four meetings during the regular season, Washington earned home-ice advantage in this series by virtue of the head-to-head tiebreaker (WSH: 2-0-2, NYI: 2-1-1). Overall, the Capitals went 5-1-1 in their final seven games of the season, while the Islanders closed the campaign with points in five of their last six contests (3-1-2).

ICYMI: The Capitals unveiled new shirts for the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs (courtesy of@washingtoncaps).

CENTRAL DIVISION FOES FACE OFF IN THE MUSIC CITY
Central Division rivals collide in the First Round when the Predators and Blackhawks drop the puck for Game 1 at Bridgestone Arena. The only previous postseason meeting between these clubs was one of the most compelling of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, an opening-round encounter that Chicago captured in six games en route to its first championship in 49 years. Rallying from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits in the series, the Blackhawks rode two Antti Niemi shutouts to get even through four games. They took their first lead in the series with a wild Game 5 victory in which they needed a Patrick Kane shorthanded goal with 14 seconds left in regulation to get to overtime, whereMarian Hossa scored upon exiting from the penalty box. Chicago settled down to salt away the series upon emerging from a dizzying first period of Game 6 with a 4-3 lead.

The Blackhawks won three of the four games between these clubs during the regular season (NSH: 1-1-2). Overall, Chicago closed the campaign on a four-game losing streak, while Nashville dropped its final six (0-4-2). Kane is expected to return to the Blackhawks’ lineup after missing the final 21 games of the season with a broken clavicle. At the time of his injury, the 26-year-old forward was tied for first in the NHL with 27-37—64 in 61 outings.

CANADIAN RIVALS RENEW ACQUAINTANCES IN VANCOUVER
Canadian rivals meet in the playoffs for the seventh time when the Flames visit the Canucks at Rogers Arena in Game 1 of their First Round series. Calgary holds a 4-2 edge in their all-time postseason matchups, including a victory in their most recent meeting in the 2004 Western Conference Quarterfinals. In that series, Martin Gelinasscored at 1:25 of overtime in Game 7 to give the Flames a 3-2 win (en route to a trip to the Stanley Cup Final). Each of the past three series between these clubs (since 1989) has gone to a seventh and deciding game. The Flames and Canucks split their four regular-season matchups (CGY: 2-1-1, VAN: 2-2-0), with Calgary snapping a nine-game losing streak in the head-to-head series on Jan. 10. Overall, both the Flames and Canucks won five of their final seven games of the season.

ICYMI: Golfer Graham DeLaet showed his support of the Flames.