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NYHN Daily: Islanders Defeat Lightning in Game 1 of Semi-Finals & More

Published

3 years ago

June 14, 2021

The New York Islanders defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of their semi-final series by a score of 2-1. It was a relentless effort by the Islanders as they upset the defending champions. It was a message-sending type of game. These stories and more in today’s daily links!

The New York Islanders defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Semifinals on Sunday at Amalie Arena. The Islanders hold a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-seven series. (NYI Hockey Now)

The New York Islanders talked about unfinished business in the lead-up to Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and while they tried to assert that the comments weren’t aimed at their Stanley Cup Semifinals opponent, they certainly looked like they were playing to prove a point on Sunday. (NYI Hockey Now)

Ryan Pulock’s postseason continues to be vastly different than his regular season, even if he’s not doing much differently. The defenseman with the booming right-handed shot scored the third-period goal that gave the Islanders a two-goal lead in their 2-1 victory over the Lightning in Game 1 of their NHL semifinals on Sunday afternoon at Amalie Arena. (Newsday)

Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov came into this series against Andrei Vasilevskiy as the weaker of the two. Yet in Game 1, Varlamov stood tall. He outplayed the Tampa netminder. (Newsday)

Semyon Varlamov made 30 saves for the New York Islanders in a 2-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Semifinals at Amalie Arena in Tampa on Sunday. Varlamov has won four consecutive starts since Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Second Round against the Boston Bruins. (NHL)

The words “Islanders” and “dominating” don’t spend much time together. When Barry Trotz’s team wins, it’s usually a battle the Islanders pull out or pull away from. But if there’s such a thing as a dominating one-goal game, the Islanders played it. (The Athletic)

Coach Barry Trotz said his Islanders’ series-opening blowout loss to the Lightning in the Eastern Conference finals last season wasn’t a fair fight, after his team was thrown onto the ice the day after traveling between the NHL’s bubbles. A rested Islanders squad had no such troubles Sunday in Game 1 of this season’s Stanley Cup semifinals, as they took a convincing 2-1 win and a 1-0 series lead over the Lightning in front of a disheartened home crowd at Amalie Arena. (NY Post)

The Boston Bruins have done a solid job developing their own talent over the years as attested by an NHL roster that is overflowing with homegrown talent. So, it’s not a surprise to see a report from Arizona Coyotes Insider Craig Morgan that Providence Bruins head coach Jay Leach has interviewed for the vacant Coyotes head coaching gig in Arizona. (Boston Hockey Now)

The Philadelphia Flyers have more than a few decisions to make this offseason. It all starts with their protected list for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft next month. As things stand now, the Flyers will almost certainly go with the more conventional 7/3/1 protection. That is seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie. (Philly Hockey Now)

It was 19 years ago today that the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup. As someone who was there to witness the moment, it was a night filled with romance, history and an exclamation point shock finish when Wings coach Scotty Bowman announced after donning his skates to do a tour of the ice with the Stanley Cup hoisted over his head that his unparalleled Hall of Fame career was at an end. (Detroit Hockey Now)

When it comes to anything reported by Elliotte Friedman, take it to the bank. Elliotte said on “Hockey Night in Canada” Hot Stove last night that Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones would “love” to be traded to either Colorado or Dallas. Jones has already informed the Blue Jackets that he is not interested in signing a long-term extension with Columbus. He has one year left on his contract. (Colorado Hockey Now)

Max Pacioretty wore his poker face ahead of the Stanley Cup Semifinals against the Montreal Canadiens. The Vegas Golden Knights forward spent his first 10 NHL seasons with the Canadiens, from 2008-09 to 2017-18, and was captain during his final three seasons. He was traded to Vegas on Sept. 9, 2018, for a second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and forwards Nick Suzuki and Tomas Tatar. (NHL)

There was no secret to the New York Islanders’ success in their 2-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Semifinals at Amalie Arena in Tampa on Sunday. The Islanders entered the best-of-7 series knowing they needed to limit the opportunities for the Lightning’s power play and believing that playing 5-on-5, rolling their four forward lines, and playing within their defensive structure would give them the best chance to defeat the defending Stanley Cup champions. (NHL)

The Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t grasping for answers or doing any soul-searching after losing Game 1 to the New York Islanders in the Stanley Cup Semifinals on Sunday. They know why they lost 2-1 at Amalie Arena in Tampa to fall behind in the best-of-7 series. (NHL)

Carey Price, known for keeping his emotions in check, didn’t try to hide his enthusiasm and respect when the Montreal Canadiens goalie was asked about playing Marc-Andre Fleury and the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Semifinals. “His resume speaks for itself.” (NHL)

The Carolina Hurricanes have given defenceman Dougie Hamilton and his agent J.P Barry permission to talk to other NHL teams prior to the start of free agency, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger. Speaking to other clubs could encourage a sign and trade with an option for an eight-year term on the new contract. However, neither side is in any rush at this point. (TSN)

Montreal Canadiens defencemen Jeff Petry (hand), Jake Evans (concussion) and Jon Merrill (lower-body injury) remained sidelined with their injuries but traveled with the team to Las Vegas for Game 1 of their third-round series against the Golden Knights on Monday night. Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme said Friday they are “not very confident” that the three players will dress in Game 1. (TSN)