The Islanders were the three-time defending Stanley Cup champions while the Capitals were in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

The Islanders were nearly eliminated in the opening round by their crosstown rivals, the New York Rangers, before Ken Morrow scored the overtime winner in the fifth and deciding game.

No one in attendance at the Cap Centre or watching at home on TV knew it yet, but the game had not yet reached its halfway point.

However, the win was marred as Pierre Turgeon suffered a shoulder injury of a vicious check by Washington's Dale Hunter after scoring a goal to clinch the game and series for Islanders.

[4] Both teams met in the 2015 Eastern Conference First Round, with Washington winning the series 4–3.

[5] The two teams met again in the playoffs in the 2020 Eastern Conference first round, where the Islanders won the series 4–1.