Bridgeport Islanders first-round playoff matchup and schedule set

Want Islanders playoff hockey? Great because the New York Islanders AHL affiliate the Bridgeport Islanders made the AHL playoffs this year. The first time in two seasons. Technically, it's only one season because there were no playoffs. And technically there were playoffs in the AHL, but just not for the Atlantic Divison.

Either way, this year the Bridgeport Islanders are in the playoffs. With a 0.507 points percentage on the year, they finished sixth in the Atlantic. This year in the AHL the top six sides from the Atlantic would qualify for the post-season.

Great! So here's when they play, where they play, and who they play in that first round match up.

New York Islanders AHL affiliate playoffs: First-round matchup and schedule

The AHL playoffs are a little odd this season so it requires a bit of explaining. For the Atlantic Division (every division is different), the top six sides are in, but the top two teams get a bye to the divisional semis. Teams three through six play a best-of-three series to move on to the next round.

Every match-up is seeded from best-vs-worst. For Bridgeport, the sixth-ranked team in the Atlantic, they'll face the third-ranked team in the Atlantic; the Providence Bruins. Again, the series is a best-of-three. Two wins and you're through.

Here's Bridgeport's schedule for that first-round matchup against the Bruins:

Game1: May 2 in Providence @ 7:05 PM
Game 2: May 4 in Bridgeport @ 7:00 PM
Game 3: May 6 in providence @ 7:05PM*

*If necessary.

On the year, Bridgeport has faced the Bruins 12 times and has a solid 6-4-2 record against them with an even 0 goal differential (38 goals-for to 38 goals-against). The last four games went 3-1-0 in favor of Bridgeport although the very last outing against Providence finished in a 6-2 loss.

Expectations? A close series. Bridgeport surely isn't the favorite, but I wouldn't count them out. There's enough quality in the team that they could surprise and make a bit of a run. Staring with this series.

You can get tickets for the game in Bridgeport here.