Bring on the Penguins.
Needing a regulation win for a chance to finish third in the East Division, the Islanders instead finished their regular season with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Bruins on Monday night at TD Garden, ensuring a first-round matchup with the first-place Penguins.
The NHL playoffs are expected to begin either Saturday or Sunday and the Islanders will play the first two games of the best-of-seven series on the road. Attendance at Nassau Coliseum will be expanded from 1,400 to approximately 6,800 for the start of the playoffs.
