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NYHN Daily: Islanders Need Power Play to Become Weapon & More

Published

3 years ago

April 26, 2021

The New York Islanders are back in action tomorrow as they look to cap off their three-game mini-series with the Washington Capitals. Islanders rookie netminder Ilya Sorokin needs to learn from his mistakes back on Saturday. The Islanders’ power play needs to get going before the end of the season so that it helps them win games, rather than the opposite. These stories and more on today’s daily links!

This season the Islanders power play has been more of a momentum killer than a momentum creator. Could the two power-play goals from Saturday be the spark this team needed with the man advantage? (NYI Hockey Now)

Islanders rookie goaltender Ilya Sorokin struggled in the loss to the Capitals back on Saturday. What does this mean for his playing time moving forward when points are a necessity? (NYI Hockey Now)

The hockey world is chattering about the Buffalo Sabres. Has interim coach Don Granato done enough to get the permanent gig? And just who will make that decision, sign players, and make decisions on the NHL Trade market for the embattled franchise? (NYI Hockey Now)

The Boston Bruins are undoubtedly much improved after the NHL trade deadline. But they are far from a perfect team even at this point, and their third line struggles are a pretty clear indicator there are still improvements and tweaks to be made. (Boston Hockey Now)

If one team earned a hard, defensive win at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday, one might have bet it was the Boston Bruins who shut down and shut out the Pittsburgh Penguins. You would be wrong and very wrong. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

It is not often that the Florida Panthers have the chance to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs but they will against the host Nashville Predators. The Panthers ticket to the NHL’s big dance is all but assured, the team starting to sell tickets to its season ticket holders on Monday morning. But, as usual, it will not come easy. (Florida Hockey Now)

The Philadelphia Flyers pulled out a victory despite an overall poor effort on Sunday night against the Devils. After a lackluster 58 minutes or so, Claude Giroux scored twice with the goalie pulled and then again in the shootout in an unlikely 4-3 victory. (Philly Hockey Now)

I may be in Las Vegas, where the Avs currently are not. But the phone works just fine, and via cellular technology can report: Philipp Grubauer has rejoined the Avalanche in St. Louis, where the team plays tomorrow in the finale of a four-game series there. He is not expected to start Monday as he has not practiced with the team. (Colorado Hockey Now)

With how the San Jose Sharks season has played out, there is no reason why the young players are not getting opportunities. They have lost eight straight games. (San Jose Hockey Now)

Welcome to the Stanley Cup Playoffs Buzz, a daily look at the races for the 2021 NHL postseason. There are 23 days left in the regular season and the races in each of the four divisions — the seven-team Scotia North and the eight-team MassMutual East, Discover Central and Honda West — are tight. The top four teams in each of the four divisions qualify for the playoffs. Here’s a look at the NHL Standings and everything else that could impact the playoff picture. (NHL)

Andrew Shaw is ending his playing career because of concussions, the Chicago Blackhawks forward said Monday. The 29-year-old was placed on long-term injured reserve March 5. He last played Feb. 9, when he sustained a concussion in a 2-1 overtime win against the Dallas Stars, and was advised by the Blackhawks medical staff to discontinue his career in hockey because of the potential long-term consequences. (NHL)

Alex Ovechkin has a lower-body injury and may not play for the Washington Capitals against the New York Islanders on Tuesday. The forward was unavailable for Washington’s 6-3 win at New York on Saturday. Ovechkin left late in the third period of a 1-0 shootout win against the Islanders on Thursday when he had four shots on goal in 17:18 of ice time. (NHL)

The difference between Alexis Lafreniere at the start of the season in January compared to now is striking in how much more comfortable he appears, how much more willing he is to engage physically and how much more of a factor he is for the Rangers (25-18-6), who are four points behind the Boston Bruins for fourth place in the MassMutual East Division. (NHL)

Shayne Gostisbehere is out 7-10 days for the Philadelphia Flyers with an MCL strain. The defenseman was injured during a 4-1 loss at the New York Rangers on Friday, Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said. He played 20:17 and was on the ice when the game ended. He has scored 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) and is averaging 19:59 of ice time in 37 games this season. (NHL)

David Backes is contemplating retirement from the NHL after this season, the Anaheim Ducks forward said Sunday. Backes turns 37 on May 1 and will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Anaheim (14-27-7) is last in the eight-team Honda West Division, 12 points behind the fourth-place Arizona Coyotes. (NHL)

John Tavares has had a special place in his heart for intellectually disabled children since he was a teenager. Now he is using his platform as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs to give back. (NHL)

We are in the midst of a fascinating Norris Trophy race. Oddsmakers and betting markets have retreated to an area of comfort. But are they handicapping the race to be named the National Hockey League’s top defenceman correctly? (TSN)

The National Hockey League season is winding down, and with it, so is our fantasy season. Most head-to-head leagues are kicking off their championship weeks, while the remaining leagues are battling in the semifinals. Roto leagues still have two and a half weeks to make a final push. Wherever you’re at, the pressure is on. As always, the best way to relieve that pressure is gaining an edge on your opponent, and we’ll do that by dissecting the upcoming weekly schedule. (TSN)