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NYHN Daily: Islanders Lose Game Two to Penguins & More

Published

3 years ago

May 19, 2021

The Islanders dropped Game 2 to the Penguins as the series will continue Thursday at Nassau Coliseum. It was an ugly start that sunk the Islanders, as netminder Semyon Varlamov was not sharp early. There was definitely a push over the final two periods to get back into the game, but it wasn’t enough. These stories and more in today’s daily links!

The ugly effort in the first 20 minutes of Game 2 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the fluky goal Semyon Varlamov gave up less than four minutes into the game or a missed opportunity in the closing minutes of the game to capitalize on a power play. In the end, it all added up to the same result which was a 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh. (NYI Hockey Now)

From a slow start, to a failed powerplay at the end of the game, here are the major takeaways from the Islanders 2-1 loss in Game 2 of their series against the Penguins. (NYI Hockey Now)

Islanders head coach Barry Trotz will have a major decision to make about his nemtinder ahead of Game 3 on Thursday. The decision will be crucial writes Neil Best. (Newsday)

The Pittsburgh Penguins again had a 2-1 lead after two periods against the New York Islanders. This time, not even being shorthanded in the final minutes could deter the Penguins, who beat the New York Islanders 2-1 in front of a raucous crowd at PPG Paints Arena. More importantly, the Penguins evened the Round One series, 1-1. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Florida Panthers hoped to even their playoff series with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night, get a win in Game 2 and move on up the road. Now, the Panthers will be heading to Tampa just hoping to survive and get another home game. After losing 3-1 on Tuesday night, the possibility exists this may have been the Panthers final home game of the season. (Florida Hockey Now)

It was a bit of good news and bad news for the Boston Bruins in the health department after their overtime Game 2 win against the Washington Capitals. The bad news is that big, heavy D-man Jeremy Lauzon (right hand) has already been ruled out of Wednesday night’s Game 3 while Kevan Miller missed time in the first period due to a nasty cut, not a knee injury. (Boston Hockey Now)

Robert Hagg didn’t stand out a ton either way from the rest of the Philadelphia Flyers defensemen this season. He was okay in a depth role, even while battling a few injuries. All in all, he was not happy with his overall performance. (Philly Hockey Now)

Alex Tuch scored a pair of goals and Marc-Andre Fleury was once again spectacular in net for the Vegas Golden Knights in a 3-1 win to even the Stanley Cup Quarterfinal series with the Minnesota Wild at one game apiece. (Vegas Hockey Now)

The story of Game 1 might be about captain Gabe Landeskog, and how his Gordie Howe hat trick provided the emotional spark that the Avalanche needed to push past St. Louis in Game 1. Most game recaps will also, inevitably, make reference to Nathan MacKinnon’s two-goal, three-point night, or yet another stout performance in net by Philipp Grubauer. And rightfully so. But let’s not ignore the effort of Tyson Jost on Monday night. (Colorado Hockey Now)

Do the San Jose Barracuda want to make the playoffs? That’s been the question since the AHL’s Pacific Division announced in late April that they’d be hosting a self-contained divisional playoff, the only AHL division to host a post-season tournament. The top-three teams in the Pacific received an automatic playoff berth, while the No. 4 through 7 seeds – the Barracuda were fourth in the Pacific this year – are participating in a play-in tournament at FivePoint Arena in Irvine to determine which squad joins the top-three in the playoffs. (San Jose Hockey Now)

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 32 saves and the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Florida Panthers 3-1 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup First Round at BB&T Center on Tuesday. (NHL)

Connor McDavid said he believes the Edmonton Oilers are closer to challenging for the Stanley Cup than they have been in his NHL career. “Obviously that’s the ultimate goal, and all those other things don’t really mean anything unless you win,” the forward said Tuesday. “It’s always what I’ve wanted to do. I have an opportunity here with this group to play a good [Winnipeg] Jets team and go from there.” (NHL)

The National Hockey League today announced the 31 team nominees for the 2020-21 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is presented “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.” (NHL)

Jonathan Quick will have shoulder surgery Wednesday, but the Los Angeles Kings “fully expect” the goalie will be back next season, general manager Rob Blake said Tuesday. The surgery will repair wear and tear that Quick has sustained over the years, according to Blake, who said Quick missed the final six games of the regular season after sustaining a rib injury against the Arizona Coyotes on May 3. (NHL)

Jeff Blashill agreed to a contract Tuesday to remain coach of the Detroit Red Wings. The 47-year-old completed his sixth season as coach and is the third-longest tenured in the NHL behind Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning (March 2013) and Paul Maurice of the Winnipeg Jets (Jan. 2014). Blashill was named coach June 9, 2015 to replace Mike Babcock, who left for the same position with the Toronto Maple Leafs on May 20, 2015. (NHL)

Lars Eller’s status for the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup First Round against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Wednesday is unclear because of a lower-body injury. Eller was injured during the second period of Washington’s 4-3 overtime loss in Game 2 on Monday. The best-of-7 series is tied 1-1. (NHL)

Montreal Canadiens captain Shea Weber participated in his first practice since he last played April 28, missing the final eight regular-season games with an upper-body injury. The Canadiens captain skated alone Saturday and Sunday and took part in off-ice work Monday and should play in their first playoff game on Thursday. (NHL)

The Vancouver Canucks are in talks with Henrik and Daniel Sedin regarding potential roles within the organization, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger. TSN’s Farhan Lalji reports there are significant roles for the Sedins being discussed, but not top of the organization roles where they would be in charge of personnel decisions. (TSN)