New York Islanders
NYHN Daily: Islanders Take Game 1, Palmieri Plays Hero & More
Game 1 of the first-round matchup between the New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins went to the island. Trade deadline acquisition Kyle Palmieri scored two goals in the contest, his second the game-winner in overtime. Islanders rookie netminder Ilya Sorokin was called upon and performed quite well in the win. These stories and more in today’s NYHN Daily:
“Game 1, to the Island.” New York Islanders broadcaster Brendan Burke’s words rang true again two years later on Sunday afternoon as the Isles took Game 1 in overtime 4-3 off the stick of Kyle Palmieri. (NYI Hockey Now)
If anyone was still questioning why Kyle Palmieri was brought to Long Island, all they had to do was watch Game 1 between the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. In what can only be described as his best game in orange and blue, Palmieri scored twice, including the game-winner 16:31 into overtime to give the Islanders a 4-3 win over Pittsburgh. (NYI Hockey Now)
The New York Islanders have often talked about how much faith they have in both their goaltenders. On Sunday, they backed that up by starting rookie Ilya Sorokin in Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. And boy did it pay off. (NYI Hockey Now)
Jean-Gabriel Pageau proved his playoff worth to the Islanders in his first postseason go-round with his new team. The former Senator picked up where he left off with a goal and two assists in the Islanders’ 4-3 overtime win over the Penguins in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday afternoon at PPG Paints Arena. (Newsday)
After the Islanders won Game 1, Arthur Staple of The Athletic broke down the game as he looked at the Islanders’ goaltending, the struggles for Tristan Jarry, and a little Deja Vu. (The Athletic)
Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand has become a strong contender to be named a candidate for the 2021 Hart Trophy. That’s why it seemed so odd that Brad Marchand seemed so lost in the Bruins’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals in Game 1 of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series. (Boston Hockey Now)
As the Penguins fell in Game 1 to the Islanders, here are the positives and the negatives from a tough overtime loss. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)
The Philadelphia Flyers didn’t make the playoffs this year, but there are plenty of former Flyers players vying for the Stanley Cup. Only a few players have recent ties, with a handful of others going back to the early 2010s. Here is your guide to former Flyers in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Philly Hockey Now)
The opening act of the first-ever Sunshine State Showdown playoff series between the Panthers and Lightning sure didn’t disappoint. Actually, it dazzled. This Game 1 between the rival Panthers and Lightning on Sunday night was everything we anticipated and more. It was like an entire seven games was rolled up into one dramatic 5-4 Lightning victory at BB&T Center. (Florida Hockey Now)
Despite the goaltending heroics of Marc-Andre Fleury, the Vegas Golden Knights are down 1-0 in the best-of-seven series to the Minnesota Wild after a 1-0 overtime loss on Sunday. (Vegas Hockey Now)
This is going to be a very tough time for Erik Johnson, these next one or two weeks. These last three-and-a-half months have already been very tough for the Colorado Avalanche defenseman, who entered this season as the longest-tenured member of the roster and a big presence on and off the ice. Concussion symptoms are still affecting the defenseman after an injury and despite wanting to play, he physically cannot. (Colorado Hockey Now)
Mario Ferraro apologized to the reporters. At the end of his exit interview on Thursday, Ferraro took a moment to say sorry for a curt response or two after a San Jose Sharks’ loss. No apology, of course, was necessary – he wasn’t ever unusually curt, by any means, and it’s understandable that he’d take a loss a lot harder than we would – but this moment certainly speaks to the sophomore defenseman’s character. (San Jose Hockey Now)
Brayden Point scored his second goal of the game for the Tampa Bay Lightning to break a tie with 1:14 remaining in a 5-4 victory against the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup First Round at BB&T Center on Sunday. (NHL)
Joel Eriksson Ek scored at 3:20 of overtime to give the Minnesota Wild a 1-0 win against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup First Round at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday. (NHL)
Carey Price and Brendan Gallagher, each out since April, will play a game in the American Hockey League before the Montreal Canadiens face the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup First Round on Thursday. (NHL)
Craig Anderson is likely to start for the Washington Capitals against the Boston Bruins in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup First Round on Monday (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS, NBCSWA, NESN). Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said Sunday he had no update on the severity of the lower-body injury Vitek Vanecek sustained in the first period of a 3-2 overtime win in Game 1 of the best-of-7 series Saturday, other than that the rookie goalie is day to day. (NHL)
David Perron remained in NHL COVID-19 protocol Sunday, and the St. Louis Blues’ leading scorer could miss Game 1 of the Stanley Cup First Round on Monday. The forward would have to be removed from protocol to play at the Colorado Avalanche in the opener of the best-of-7 series. (NHL)
Jack Campbell will start for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup First Round at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday. (NHL)
Nathan MacKinnon is expected to play for the Colorado Avalanche when they host the St. Louis Blues in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup First Round on Monday. The center did not play in four of the final five games of the regular season, including the last two, because of a lower-body injury. (NHL)
What will the Montreal Canadiens do against the Auston Matthews line? In many ways, it resembles the question for the Winnipeg Jets and their Connor McDavid problem. Matthews torched the North Division all season long, his remarkable 41 goals giving him an easy path to his first Rocket Richard Trophy. (TSN)
Zach Hyman is expected to play on Thursday when the Leafs open their playoff series against the Canadiens. “We haven’t gotten the final clearance for him medically, but I certainly believe we are trending that way,” said coach Sheldon Keefe. “Another great practice for him today.” (TSN)