Friday night gave us some very entertaining hockey. The Carolina Hurricanes swept the New York Islanders 4-0 in their Eastern Conference Second Round series at PNC Arena, before the St. Louis Blues hosted the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of their Western Conference Second Round series.
As things stood heading into Friday:
➜ Carolina lead New York 3-0
➜ Dallas and St Louis are tied at 2-2
New York Islanders v Carolina Hurricanes
2-5
The Carolina Hurricanes reached the Eastern Conference Final by sweeping the New York Islanders 5-2 in Game 4 of the second round at PNC.
Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen each had a goal and an assist, Greg McKegg, Justin Williams, Andrei Svechnikov also scored, and Curtis McElhinney made 26 saves for the Hurricanes, who will face the winner of the Boston Bruins v Columbus Blue Jackets. That series is tied 2-2 entering Game 5 at Boston on Saturday, May 4.
It was McKegg‘s first playoff goal, and Williams‘ score was his 100th career playoff point.
This is the first sweep of a best-of-7 Stanley Cup Playoff series in Carolina/Hartford Whalers history. The Hurricanes have advanced to the Conference Final in four straight playoff appearances (2002, 2006, 2009, 2019).
Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson scored for New York, who swept the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. Robin Lehner was pulled after allowing 3 goals on 11 shots, Thomas Greiss made nine saves in relief. Lehner has never defeated the Hurricanes (0-5-0).
Carolina have now won six straight playoff games, including Game 6 and 7 against the Washington Capitals in the first round.
Up Next:
Islanders – Eliminated
Canes – Will face either Bruins or Blue Jackets (TBD)
Dallas Stars v St Louis Blues
2-1
Ben Bishop made 38 saves to help the Dallas Stars secure a 2-1 victory in Game 5 in St. Louis. The Stars lead the best-of-7 series 3-2.
Jason Spezza and Esa Lindell scored, and Tyler Seguin had an assist for the visitors, who were outshot 27-39. Bishop made 14 saves in the third period.
Jaden Schwartz scored, and Jordan Binnington made 25 saves for the hosts, who went 0-for-4 on the power play (the Stars went 0-for-1).
Dallas can advance to the Western Conference Final with a home win in Game 6 on Sunday (3pm – NBC)
Up Next:
Blues v Stars – Sunday, May 5 (3pm – NBC)
As things stand after Friday’s fixtures:
➜ Carolina Hurricanes sweep the New York Islanders 4-0
➜ Dallas lead St. Louis 3-2
KEY
ALL TIMES U.S. EASTERN
Artistry of Sport 
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