NYHN Daily: Islanders Recover to Beat Flyers Via Shootout & More

The New York Islanders defeated the Philadelphia Flyers last night via a shootout to tie the Washington Capitals atop the East Division. It was a pair of B’s that gave the Islanders the win at Nassau Coliseum. This story and more on today’s daily links!

 It was a pair of Bs that helped the New York Islanders pick up two crucial points on Saturday night. Anthony Beauvillier scored twice and Mathew Barzal scored the game-winner in the shootout as the Islanders defeated the Philadelphia Flyer 3-2 at the Nassau Coliseum. (NYI Hockey Now)

Both goalies had bounce-back performances after being pulled from their last outings. The Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin was just one save better in the shootout writes Andrew Gross. (Newsday)

Ross Johnston usually is the one dishing out the hits. But the burly left wing had a short night in the Islanders’ 3-2, four-round shootout win over the Flyers on Saturday night, exiting at 2:47 of the first period after a fight with equally massive Samuel Morin. (Newsday)

Constructing lines can often be like a jigsaw puzzle. Sometimes, the pieces must fit in just a certain way. This is why Islanders coach Barry Trotz keeps coming back to using Anthony Beauvillier on Brock Nelson’s left-wing along with Josh Bailey. It’s the best fit toward achieving Trotz’s desired four-line balance. (Newsday)

With Tuukka Rask’s injury, the Boston Bruins may be shopping around for a veteran goaltender this trade deadline. (Boston Hockey Now)

You may need a tissue to wipe the empathetic tears from your eyes. After the month-long Pittsburgh Penguins surge through the East Division and the Philadelphia Flyers’ brutally effective free fall, the Penguins are nearly a lock to make the 2021 NHL playoffs. The Flyers did lose to the Buffalo Sabres 6-1 this week. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Philadelphia Flyers may have lost the game on Saturday night, but it was a big step forward for a key part of their long-term future. Carter Hart returned from his break and put up one of his best performances of the season. (Philly Hockey Now)

The Panthers celebrated the career (to date) of former Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky before Saturday’s game. While Bobrovsky made 43 saves against his former team, it was ex-Jacket Alex Wennberg who did the big damage. (Florida Hockey Now)

The Minnesota Wild packed all the offense they would need into a pair of goals 55 seconds apart in a 2-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights Saturday night. The Wild have now won four straight over the Golden Knights after losing the first two games of the season series. (Vegas Hockey Now)

San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture says “blind” pass to Evander Kane was not exactly blind. He just knew where Kane was going to be. (San Jose Hockey Now)

The Vancouver Canucks have 14 players on the NHL COVID-19 protocol list after seven were added Saturday. (NHL.com)

Linus Ullmark made 28 saves to help the Buffalo Sabres defeat the New York Rangers 3-2 in the shootout at KeyBank Center on Saturday. (NHL.com)

Evgenii Dadonov scored twice for the Ottawa Senators in a 6-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre on Saturday. (NHL.com)

Patrick Kane praised Connor McDavid and said the Edmonton Oilers center should clearly be the winner of the Hart Trophy as the most valuable player in the NHL this season. (NHL.com)

Jake Oettinger makes 41 saves, helps Stars get their first win against Hurricanes this season. (NHL.com)

Juuse Saros made 41 saves for the Nashville Predators in a 3-0 win against the Chicago Blackhawks at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday. (NHL.com)

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 25 saves, and the Tampa Bay Lightning held off the Detroit Red Wings for a 2-1 win at Amalie Arena on Saturday. (NHL.com)

With Jack Campbell dealing with a nagging injury, the Toronto Maple Leafs are proceeding with caution. Campbell is 8-0-0 on the season and has taken the starting job from the injured Frederik Andersen. (TSN)

The Edmonton Oilers may have some of the NHL’s top talents, but goalie Mike Smith says securing come-from-behind victories this season has been a full group effort. (TSN)

The Edmonton Oilers placed forward Joakim Nygard on waivers on Saturday, according to the NHL’s official release. Nygard has yet to register a point in six games this season with the Oilers, he also has four penalty minutes and has a minus-1 rating. (TSN)

There’s not long until the NHL playoffs arrive May 11 following the shortened 56-game regular season. There’s even less time for the league’s 31 teams to try to improve their rosters (or to move top players for draft picks) via trades. Bleacher Report examines the latest trade reports. (Bleacher Report)

The Philadelphia Flyers will be looking to trade Shayne Gostisbehere at the trade deadline, but could UFA Scott Laughton be on the move as well? (Pro Hockey Rumors)