Stanley Cup playoffs: Get to know the New York Islanders

Cassandra Negley

Stanley Cup playoffs: Get to know the New York Islanders image

A capsule look at the New York Islanders ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Isles face the Washington Capitals in the first round, starting Wednesday at Verizon Center.

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Season record: 47-28-7, 101 points

Standing: Third in the Metropolitan Division

Clinched: April 9

Coach: Jack Capuano (regular season: 165-148-46; playoffs: 2-4)

Captain: John Tavares

Alternates: Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo

SERIES PREVIEWS: Rangers-Penguins | Canadiens-Senators | Capitals-Islanders | Lightning-Red Wings

Players to watch: The Islanders tied the Rangers for second in the league in goals with 252. John Tavares is a large reason for that with 86 points, one fewer than Art Ross Trophy winner Jamie Benn. He has 38 goals, eight game-winners (third in the league). 

Goaltender: Jaroslov Halak has 38 wins and six shutouts, placing him among the top performers in the categories. 

Playoff history: The Islanders are making their second playoff appearance in the past three years. In 2013, they took the Penguins to six games but lost in overtime, 4-3, in the deciding game. This is their 23rd playoff appearance and final one at Nassau Coliseum. They move to Brooklyn's Barclays Center for 2015-16.

Championships: The Islanders won the Cup four times, from 1980 to 1983. Their most recent finals was in 1984. 

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First-round schedule (*-if necessary):

April 15, Capitals 4, Islanders 1
April 17, 7 p.m. at Washington; NBCSN, Sportsnet, TVA Sports
April 19, noon at Islanders; NBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports
April 21, 7:30 p.m. at Islanders; USA, SN 360, TVA Sports
*April 23, TBD at Washington, TBD
*April 25, TBD at Islanders, TBD
*April 27, TBD at Washington, TBD

SERIES PREVIEWS: Canucks-Flames | Ducks-Jets | Blues-Wild | Predators-Blackhawks

Cassandra Negley is a contributor at Sporting News. She’s currently the sports editor at the Thomasville Times-Enterprise in Georgia and writes for the Mets blog, Rising Apple. You can follow her on Twitter, @casnegley

Cassandra Negley