Islanders Daily: Masterton Nominees, Lehner to Have Surgery & More

It’s the last week of the NHL regular season, with the New York Islanders playing three games in four days. On Monday, the nominations were announced for the Masterton trophy, as the Islanders nominated Zdeno Chara. This past weekend, the New York Islanders hosted their alumni for a special charity game on Saturday followed by a fun day at UBS Arena.

These stories and more in today’s daily links!

Perseverance. Sportsmanship. Dedication. The player that best exemplifies those character traits is awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy at the end of the NHL season. The nominations for all 32 National Hockey League teams are in, all well-deserving of votes. For the New York Islanders, Zdeno Chara has received the nomination, along with two former Islanders. (NYI Hockey Now)

Under the leadership of majority owners Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin, the New York Islanders have made more of an effort to bring alumni around. This past weekend, the New York Islanders held their ‘Alumni Weekend’, which featured an alumni duel with the New York Rangers, raising $25,000 for the Northwell Health Foundation on Saturday, followed by a fun day at UBS Arena on Sunday. (NYI Hockey Now)

It was a miserable hockey Sunday for Pittsburgh Penguins and fans. Not only did the Penguins no-show against arch-rival Philadelphia Flyers in a game that could have given them complete control of third place in the Metro Division, but fans were subjected to another misdirected TNT broadcast. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Most Philly sports fans were probably watching the 76ers or the Phillies on Monday night. Only the diehards were viewing the Philadelphia Flyers, whose season lost its meaning months ago. Here’s what most of you missed: The Flyers’ attempt at their second three-game winning streak of the season fell short at the United Center. They allowed two goals in the first 6:15 and never recovered, falling to the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-1. (Philadelphia Hockey Now)

It’s been a long, strange few years for the Boston Bruins organization, and for the NHL as well as the entire league has persevered through challenges and obstacles simply to bring hockey back to a sense of normalcy.Nobody could have guessed that Boston Bruins Jake DeBrusk would still be with the B’s on the cusp of the playoffs after his trade request surfaced back in December, and certainly, nobody could have predicted he would be the B’s nominee for the Masterton Trophy given to a player that “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.” (Boston Hockey Now)

With the Florida Panthers in Boston preparing to take on the Bruins tonight and the team enjoying their best season in franchise history, you can expect to see one of the biggest goals in franchise history shown on the broadcast. On the eve of that goal’s 26th birthday to boot. (Florida Hockey Now)

Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price has been named a nominee for the 2022 Bill Masterton Trophy. The trophy is awarded annually to the NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication.” Price made his way back this season after offseason hip surgery and after checking himself into the NHL Player Assistance program for substance use. (Montreal Hockey Now)

After suffering an upper-body injury on Sunday, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was on the ice and front and center for the annual team photo at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Monday. He is considered day-to-day. (Washington Hockey Now)

Jared Bednar usually doesn’t spare the rod, at least when it comes to criticizing his team’s work ethic. If it’s not there, he says it. And so, he said it after Sunday’s miserable 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, the team’s fourth straight overall. With one week to go in the regular season, this does not sound like a coach of a Western Conference-leading team. (Colorado Hockey Now)

The reports were a little premature on this one, but they eventually proved to be accurate. Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner will miss the remainder of the regular season and will undergo shoulder surgery. This news was officially announced Monday by the Golden Knights themselves after multiple reports came out on Friday. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Thomas Bordeleau’s capacity for the spectacular is obvious. From the shootout winner, snapping the San Jose Sharks’ 11-game losing streak to the Vegas Golden Knight to an innocent-looking neutral zone entry, Bordeleau is a threat to conjure up magic at any moment. (San Jose Hockey Now)

It’s a three-step process for the Vancouver Canucks. Beat the Seattle Kraken and have the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Dallas Stars in regulation on Tuesday night. Next, beat the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night, after having the Vegas Golden Knights lose in regulation to the Chicago Blackhawks and the Dallas Stars lose in regulation to the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday. (Vancouver Hockey Now)

Calgary Flames defenceman Chris Tanev reminds me of one of his former teammates — former Flames captain Mark Giordano. Their games may be slightly different. Giordano was more offensively gifted. Tanev is one of the most stable defensive anchors you could conjure on the blueline. But both thrive on hard work and determination. And both seemed to get better with age. Now, both can say they have been Calgary Flames nominees for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. (Calgary Hockey Now)