Daily Links
Islanders Are Playoff Bound For Third Straight Season & More
The New York Islanders clinched a playoff berth on Saturday as they defeated the Rangers by a score of 3-0. Beauvillier stayed hot, Barzal got back on track and Varlamov was electric in the win. With UBS Arena opening next year, the Islanders played their final game against the Rangers on Nassau Coliseum ice. These stories and more on today’s daily links!
Anthony Beauvillier scored twice and Semyon Varlamov blanked the New York Rangers as the New York Islanders punched their ticket to the playoffs with a 3-0 win at Nassau Coliseum. (NYI Hockey Now)
So much went right for the Islanders Saturday night. Here are the takeaways from their shutout win over the Rangers. (NYI Hockey Now)
It’s a rivalry that never seems to disappoint in one way or another, and its time at the Nassau Coliseum has likely come to an end. On Saturday, the New York Islanders and New York Rangers played what will likely amount to their final game against one another at the old barn on Hempstead Turnpike. (NYI Hockey Now)
Reaching the playoffs is always the first goal of any season. Now the Islanders can set their sights higher writes Andrew Gross. (Newsday)
Semyon Varlamov was quick to thank his teammates after entering the Islanders’ record book. The goalie pushed his career-high shutout streak to 213:56 in Saturday night’s playoff-clinching, 3-0, win over the Rangers at Nassau Coliseum. (Newsday)
Here are the Talking Points for the Boston Bruins 6-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden on Saturday afternoon. (Boston Hockey Now)
The Pittsburgh Penguins are now in sole possession of first place of the MassMutual East Division after defeating the Washington Capitals 3-0 Saturday night. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)
Well, that was a devil of a series. The Philadelphia Flyers lost 4-1 to the New Jersey Devils in the finale of the four-game series on Saturday night. (Philly Hockey Now)
The Panthers wrapped up their most successful road campaign in franchise history Saturday as Anthony Duclair scored twice in a 5-4 win at Chicago. (Florida Hockey Now)
Marc-Andre Fleury moved into a tie for third place all-time with Roberto Luongo after recording his 489th career victory Saturday night as the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-2 in overtime. (Vegas Hockey Now)
Here are the Colorado Avalanche player ratings after their 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. (Colorado Hockey Now)
In a stark contrast to Friday’s 7-5 win, the Barracuda offense dried up in a 4-0 loss to the Henderson Silver Knights Saturday.The Barracuda (15-13-4-2) were outshot 39-16 by the Silver Knights (22-12-0-0) and shutout for the third time this season. (San Jose Hockey Now)
Cole Caufield scored his first NHL goal at 2:25 of overtime, and the Montreal Canadiens strengthened their position in the Scotia North Division with a 3-2 win against the Ottawa Senators at Bell Centre on Saturday. (NHL)
Auston Matthews scored twice, giving him an NHL-leading 38 goals, and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Vancouver Canucks 5-1 at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. (NHL)
Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists for the Edmonton Oilers in a 4-1 win against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Place on Saturday. McDavid leads the NHL with 87 points (29 goals, 58 assists) in 49 games. He is on pace to score 99 points this season and would need to average 1.86 points in the final seven games to reach 100. (NHL)
Ryan Miller made 23 saves in the final home game of his 18-season NHL career, and the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Los Angeles Kings 6-2 at Honda Center on Saturday. (NHL)
The Tampa Bay Lightning lost ground in the Discover Central Division with a 1-0 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday. Tampa Bay fell two points behind the Florida Panthers for second in the eight-team Central Division, and four points behind the first-place Carolina Hurricanes. Florida and Carolina each won Saturday. (NHL)
 Jake Virtanen was placed on leave Saturday by the Vancouver Canucks following allegations of sexual misconduct. “We have become aware of the concerning allegations made about Jake Virtanen,” the Canucks said in a statement. “Our organization does not accept sexual misconduct of any kind and the claims as reported are being treated very seriously by us.” (NHL)
Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson and Hunt Regional Healthcare registered nurse Meghin Gomez have been named the NHL’s “Rookies of the Month” for April. (NHL)
The Calgary Flames fall further back of final playoff spot after loss to Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. (TSN)
Dougie Hamilton scored on a breakaway with 52.1 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Carolina Hurricanes to a 2-1 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night. (TSN)