The Islanders are in Newark for the second half of a road back-to-back after being eliminated via shootout yesterday afternoon in Philadelphia. With Ilya Sorokin on the shelf — and barring another shock appearance by Tristan Lennox — Marcus Hogberg has a chance to continue shaking off that 9-2 loss to the Rangers after he rebounded somewhat against the Flyers.
The Devils are already locked into a first-round matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes, who have home ice advantage secured, so neither team has anything to play for today. Leaguewide and lottery-wise, the Islanders are currently 23rd overall and could plausibly fall as low as 26th or climb as high as 20th.
First Islanders Goal picks go here.
Islanders News
- Previewing today: The Isles understand they’re playing out the string. [Isles]
- After a scary twist and departure from the game, Pierre Engvall appears to be fine. [@AGrossNewsday]
- Critical offseason decisions await. But for now Patrick Roy only wanted to talk about the game, with the ol’ “I thought we were the better team on the ice all day long.” [Post]
Elsewhere
Saturday’s other finals included the elimination of the Rangers, too. The Leafs — with only 17 skaters and 5 healthy defensemen because of cap reasons — beat the Canadiens in overtime to keep Montreal from clinching just yet. The Blue Jackets torched the Capitals, 7-0, to stay alive in a game where Alex Ovechkin was rested.
- No championship for Cole Eiserman as Western Michigan trounces BU in the NCAA final, 6-2. [USA Today]
- Alec Martinez announces his retirement and is saluted in his final game in Chicago, where all kinds of careers go to die now. [NHL]
- Playing a conditioning stint in the AHL, Gabriel Landeskog scores his first pro goal since the Avalanche’s Cup year. [TSN]
- A blow for the Oilers as Mattias Ekholm appears to have a long-term injury. [TSN]
- More Luke Fox Jukebox fanfic about the Leafs. [Sportsnet]
