The Carolina Hurricanes blitzed the New York Islanders and have taken a commanding 3-0 series lead. Wow.

Carolina Hurricanes 5, New York Islanders 2

Carolina leads series 3-0

• Curtis McElhinney is the oldest goaltender in NHL history to make his first career playoff start and also now the oldest to win in their first Stanley Cup playoff start.
• The Canes own a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven series for the second time in franchise history and first since 2006.
• The Canes extended their overall win streak to five games and improved to 4-0 at home in this year’s playoffs.
• I cannot escape the overwhelming sense of dread that is the fact that I believe the Caps would have repeated if they were able to escape that first round with Carolina.

Dallas Stars 4, St Louis Blues 2

Series tied 2-2

• Roope Hintz has five goals in this year’s playoffs, the most from a Stars rookie since 1994.
• The Stars handed St. Louis its first road loss of this year’s playoffs.
• John Klingberg scored his second game-winning goal of the playoffs, matching the franchise record for most in a postseason by a Stars/North Stars defenseman, set by Lou Nanne in 1971.

Headline image: NBC Sports