New York Islanders Playoff Schedule Announced: Game 1 Wednesday vs. Penguins

With the Ottawa Senators' season-ending win in Boston, the Islanders fell to the eighth seed and know their first playoff opponent: Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

A few hours later, the NHL announced its first-round playoff schedule through an hour-long drag-it-out festival on NHL Network. Because the Isles face the Penguins, the Isles get their share of Sidney Crosby TV assignments:

Series Schedule

Times and TV coverage of the later networks will depend on what other series are still going at that time, and whether the networks would rather drool over Crosby or another narrative.

• Game 1: Wednesday, May 1, 7:30 p.m. at Pittsburgh - NBC Sports Network, TSN, MSG+
  
• Game 2: Friday, May 3, 7 p.m. at Pittsburgh - NBC Sports Network, TSN, MSG+
• Game 3: Sunday, May 5, noon at New York - NBC, TSN, MSG+
• Game 4: Tuesday, May 7, 7 p.m. at New York - NBC Sports Network, TSN
• *Game 5: Thursday, May 9, 7 p.m. at Pittsburgh - TSN, MSG+
• *Game 6: Saturday, May 11, TBD at New York - TSN, MSG+
• *Game 7: Sunday, May 12, at Pittsburgh - TSN, MSG+

So if things get to a Game 7, that's going to be quite a challenge for both teams: Back-to-backs leading to the win-or-go-home Game 7, as well as that fatigue baggage hanging over the victor's head as it goes into the start of the second round.

It's been a long wait for Islanders fans, but the playoffs are finally here. Get ready for the ride.