NYHN: Islanders Are Back Home for Game 3 With Series Tied & More

The New York Islanders look to take Game 3 at home for the first time this postseason. The Islanders need to play better in their own zone to take a series lead. Even though Oliver Wahlstrom seems ready to go, head coach Barry Trotz is content with his lineup. Staying out of the penalty box is critical for Islanders.

These stories and more in today’s daily links!

There was nothing pretty about the New York Islanders defensive effort in Game 2 against the Tamp Bay Lightning. A 4-2 loss saw a handful of defensive miscues, as both the team’s D pairings and forward lines did not do enough to stop the Tampa offense throughout the night. (NYI Hockey Now)

Barry Trotz hinted that even though Oliver Wahlstrom is ready to go, he is not looking to change his lineup up for Game 3. “He’s available to come back in Game 3. I don’t know if he’s a candidate,”. (NYI Hockey Now)

New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz has said he doesn’t take part in any gamesmanship during the playoffs, but it certainly sounded like some when he was talking about the integrity of how Game 2 was played. (NYI Hockey Now)

The Islanders’ Game 2 loss in Tampa on Tuesday had some calamitous moments, for sure, but it wasn’t a disaster. The Isles were down a goal heading into the third, a spot they were in several times in the opening two rounds, and even though it didn’t end well it was hardly a loss where Barry Trotz needed to shake things up to get his team ready for Game 3. (The Athletic)

If the defending champs continue to play with the same intensity and alacrity as they did in this one, can the Islanders elevate their game, avoid the unusual number of forced and unforced errors they committed in this one and match the Lightning for the duration of this series? (NY Post)

The Islanders hope to turn around their Game 3 fortunes as they focus on returning home. The have dropped Game 3 in each of the series they have played thus far. (Newsday)

The biggest Penguins’ surprise of the 2020-21 NHL playoffs was not Jeff Carter or their puck domination of the New York Islanders. Though those were surprising, but the bigger shocker was goalie Tristan Jarry and his soft play. And so, the Penguins might be in the market for a playoff-experienced backup goalie. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Could the Philadelphia Flyers really land Jack Eichel? It may not be as farfetched as you think. Entering their most important offseason in quite some time, Chuck Fletcher and the Flyers need to make a big move. (Philly Hockey Now)

Jonathan Huberdeau is one of the top playmakers in the NHL and one of his slickest plays of the 2021 season was voted the top NHL assist in the NHL Fan Choice Awards. (Florida Hockey Now)

It was 23 years ago Wednesday that saw the Detroit Red Wings successfully defending the Stanley Cup. They put a 4-1 whipping on the Washington Capitals at the MCI Center, completing a four-game sweep of the Cup final series. Pacing the Wings that night by scoring two goals was forward Doug Brown. (Detroit Hockey Now)

The Vegas Golden Knights tried a furious third-period rally to tie Game Two late, but ultimately lost to the Montreal Canadiens 3-2, evening the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Semifinal series at one game apiece. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Jared Bednar will return for a sixth season coaching the Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Hockey Now has learned. Bednar, 49, already is the longest-tenured coach in Avs history, and that tenure will continue into the 2021-22 NHL season. (Colorado Hockey Now)

“There aren’t a lot of bona fide [No. 2 centers] but there are plenty of No. 3’s that are out there”. This is especially relevant to the San Jose Sharks, as Doug Wilson’s top priorities this off-season are addressing his goaltending and adding a third-line center. (San Jose Hockey Now)

The Montreal Canadiens evened the Stanley Cup Semifinals with a 3-2 win against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday. (NHL)

The Vegas Golden Knights lamented another slow start after a 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 2 evened the Stanley Cup Semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday. (NHL)

Kevin Hodgson wins Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award. Honored for ‘dream job’ with hockey organization helping children across Canada. (NHL)

It appears the Jack Eichel trade market is heating up. TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun wrote in The Athletic Wednesday that conversations between the Buffalo Sabres and teams interested in the star centre are “getting more intense and serious.” (TSN)

Jason Spezza will once again be sporting blue and white next season. The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Wednesday the 38-year-old forward has re-signed with his hometown team at the league minimum US$750,000 for the 2021-22 campaign. (TSN)