Islanders Wrap: A Little Too Late, Varlamov’s Save, Wahlstrom’s Development

The New York Islanders will be on the practice ice this morning after falling 5-4 to the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night. Colorado broke the game wide open in the third period to take a 5-1 lead, but the Islanders battled to make it 5-4 before the game came to an end. New York Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov was the storyline, as he was brilliant. He made one of the best saves we have seen this season on Cale Makar in the second period. What did Islanders head coach Barry Trotz say about Oliver Wahlstrom’s development?

These stories and more in today’s Islanders Wrap!

The New York Islanders, after knocking off the St. Louis Blues on Saturday afternoon by a score of 2-1, fell victim to the dominance of the Colorado Avalanche. It was a close, score-wise through two periods, and then late in the third but the Islanders ultimately lost 5-4. New York drops to 21-24-8 on the season, 11-12-4 on home ice. (NYI Hockey Now)

On Monday night, New York Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov made a highlight-reel save to rob Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar with the paddle to keep the game tied in the second period. You just have to see it. (NYI Hockey Now)

Following the New York Islanders win Saturday over the St. Louis Blues, head coach Barry Trotz addressed the media regarding the development of Oliver Wahlstrom and why he has not seen first-line minutes yet. “He’s got lots of talent. Don’t be impatient. He’s gonna be good. He’s gonna be fine,” Trotz said. “You guys are like McDonald’s. You guys want everything like right now.” (NYI Hockey Now)

Here are the Talking Points from the Boston Bruins 3-2 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night at TD Garden after a glorious six-game road trip out West. Trevor Moore had a strong showing as he tied the contest with 26 seconds to play in the game. Joey Anderson received a reverse hit by Brad Marchand and left the game. (Boston Hockey Now)

In what surely will be well-received news to Pittsburgh Penguins fans, center Teddy Blueger looks likely to return from jaw surgery Tuesday when the Florida Panthers visit PPG Paints Arena. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged after practice Monday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex that Blueger will be a game-time decision. That nearly always means that Blueger is expected to play barring some sort of unforeseen issue arising. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Centers Kevin Hayes of the Philadelphia Flyers and Brian Boyle of the Pittsburgh Penguins are involved in a sweepstakes that will award two tickets to the Sunday, April 24 game between the cross-state rivals at the Wells Fargo Center. In addition, the winner will receive signed jerseys from Hayes and Boyle, get to keep game sticks used by both players and meet with the two players after the game. All proceeds will go towards the 11 Fund to honor Jimmy Hayes.  (Philly Hockey Now)

The Florida Panthers took a while to warm up their engines in chilly Buffalo on Monday, but once they got humming, it was good night for the Sabres. Florida’s rousing 6-1 win over the Sabres may have come at a cost, however, as rookie center Anton Lundell was hurt in the first period after awkwardly landing on his left leg and going into the boards. (Florida Hockey Now)

The Montreal Canadiens practiced at Rogers Arena in Vancouver Monday ahead of their tilt with the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday night. Defenceman Jeff Petry was part of a group of six players that skated in non-contact jerseys and during the practice, the Canadiens tweeted that the 34-year-old defenceman is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. (Montreal Hockey Now)

A soft-spoken Axel Jonsson-Fjallby knows that he has big skates to fill for the Washington Capitals. Right now, a number of circumstances suggest that the 24-year-old will make the full-time NHL jump and be a regular in the lineup with Carl Hagelin out indefinitely following a “serious” eye injury. (Washington Hockey Now)

Well, the final score is all that matters. Right? I mean, right, Avs fans? I might overreact to the Avs allowing three goals late in the game to turn a 5-1 laugher into a 5-4 nailbiter, but I won’t do it. Well, not much anyway. Yes, I do think that was a worrisome sign, how the Avs just almost collapsed and let the Islanders nearly send that game into overtime. I mean, it was 5-1 in the third period, and you had to sweat that out? Not good, Bob. (Colorado Hockey Now)

The Vegas Golden Knights acquired forward Evgenii Dadonov this past offseason, but his season has not gone the way anyone would have hoped with just 10 goals and 12 assists. Clearly, there is something off with his game, whether it be chemistry, a lack of confidence in himself, or even the current situation with his home country having an impact on his play. So now what? (Vegas Hockey Now)

The San Jose Sharks’ chances to make the playoffs are pretty much kaput, but it sounds like they’re still in the hunt to keep Tomas Hertl. Last week, the impending UFA intimated that contract talks were ongoing between his camp and the Sharks. When pushed, he characterized those talks as “positive.” (San Jose Hockey Now)

Rob Fai of Sports Bar Radio and I have been talking Vancouver Canucks on almost a weekly basis the last three months, bringing decades of NHL coverage and insight to the table. You may want to check this one out, from Monday, March 7th. We cover it all, through our intimate relationship with hockey people and “Simmer’s” recent trip with the Canucks to NYC and Toronto, two of his former NHL stomping grounds. (Vancouver Hockey Now)

The Calgary Flames may not believe in statement games, but they made one on Monday night. With a 3-1 win over their provincial rival Edmonton Oilers, the Flames helped cement their status as a Western Conference contender. It wasn’t expected to be easy with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl coming to town. But both were shut down. (Calgary Hockey Now)