NHL Playoffs 2023: Top Storylines for April 28 Schedule

The Seattle Kraken have had an impressive start to their first appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Now, they're on the cusp of a previously unimaginable upset.

On Friday night, the Kraken have an opportunity to eliminate the Colorado Avalanche, the defending Stanley Cup champions, in a Game 6 matchup at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

The Kraken took a 3-2 lead over the Avs in Game 5, when they went on the road and claimed a 3-2 victory.

Three other Game 6 contests are also set for Friday. The Carolina Hurricanes (at New York Islanders), Boston Bruins (at Florida Panthers) and Dallas Stars (at Minnesota Wild) will each be on the road looking to advance to the second round with a win.

Here's everything else you need to know about Friday's NHL action.

April 28 Playoff Schedule

Jaylynn Nash

RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 04: NHL logo on a goal net prior to the first period the game Carolina Hurricanes against the Ottawa Senators at PNC Arena on April 04, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images)*

Game 6: Carolina Hurricanes at New York Islanders, 7 p.m. ET, TBS

Game 6: Boston Bruins at Florida Panthers, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT

Game 6: Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild, 9:30 p.m. ET, TBS

Game 6: Colorado Avalanche at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m. ET, TNT

Can Islanders Stave off Elimination Again?

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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 25: Ilya Sorokin #30 of the New York Islanders celebrates with Alexander Romanov #28 and Bo Horvat #14 after the victory against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Five of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 25, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Hurricanes were in a prime opportunity to win their first-round series against the Islanders, considering they hosted Game 5 on their home ice. However, New York didn't allow that to happen, jumping out to a 2-0 lead and holding on to win that contest 3-2.

Now, the Isles return home for Game 6 with an opportunity to knot the series at 3. And if they're successful in doing so, it could be because of their large number of offensive weapons, which has been apparent over the first five games.

Eleven players have scored for New York thus far. Carolina will need to find a way to shut them all down if it hopes to advance to the second round without having to play a Game 7 matchup back home.

Bruins in Surprising Position with Close Series

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BOSTON, MA - APRIL 26: Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) shoots on Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during Game 5 of an Eastern Conference First Round playoff contest between the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers on April 26, 2023, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.(Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Who thought the first-round series between the Bruins and Panthers would go six games? Likely not many. Boston has already lost two games to Florida after losing only 17 of its 82 regular-season contests.

The Bruins had a chance to end the series at home in Game 5, but the Panthers staved off elimination with a 4-3 overtime win. Matthew Tkachuk scored the game-winning goal that kept Florida's season alive.

Boston goaltender Linus Ullmark could be poised for a bounce-back performance in Game 6. He may have allowed four goals in Game 5, but he's given up two or fewer in three of the five games in the series. Now, the pressure is on him and the Bruins to avoid a Game 7.

Stars Aim to Ride Momentum to Series Victory

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DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 25: Jake Oettinger #29 of the Dallas Stars blocks a shot on goal against the Minnesota Wild in the second period in Game Five of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 25, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

The Stars may be starting to click after a slow opening to their first-round series against the Wild. After dropping two of the first three games, Dallas won Game 4 on the road and Game 5 at home to take a 3-2 lead over Minnesota.

The key to the Stars' recent success has been their defensive play, as they've outscored the Wild 7-2 over their past two victories. Jake Oettinger had 32 saves in Game 4, then recorded 27 saves while notching a shutout in Game 5.

Dallas hasn't won a postseason series since making it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020, but it's closing in on advancing and could go on another deep run this year.

Will Kraken Complete an Upset of Avalanche?

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DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 26: Assistant coach Paul McFarland of the Seattle Kraken talks to players on the bench during a timeout against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Five of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on April 26, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ashley Potts/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Kraken won their first playoff game in franchise history when they notched a Game 1 victory over the Avalanche. Some probably thought that would be the team's high moment this postseason, especially after Colorado bounced back to win Games 2 and 3.

The momentum has since shifted, though, and Seattle can win its first playoff series by taking Game 6 on its home ice Friday. But it won't be easy, considering the Avs' roster is filled with players who have postseason experience and could thrive with the pressure on.

With 13 players having scored a goal for the Kraken in the playoffs, they're getting production from multiple lines. Maybe that will make the difference again in Game 6.

However, the Avalanche should not be counted out yet, and it wouldn't be surprising to see a Game 7 in Colorado.