Stanley Cup Playoffs Buzz: Varlamov likely for Islanders in Game 1

Contemporary York Islanders

Semyon Varlamov practiced Saturday and is most frequently the starting up goalie for the Islanders after they focus on with the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 1 of the supreme-of-7 Stanley Cup First Spherical on Sunday (Midday ET; NBC, SN, TVAS).

Varlamov sustained “a diminutive force,” per Islanders coach Barry Trotz, and did no longer play the third duration of their bizarre-season finale, a 3-2 time past regulations loss on the Boston Bruins on Monday. He modified into replaced by Ilya Sorokin.

“[It was important he practiced] no longer trusty for me, nevertheless for him,” Trotz mentioned of Varlamov. “He skated with the neighborhood, he skated the day sooner than. We’ll gaze where he is the next day. He feels pretty merely, nevertheless we’ll fabricate the general correct selections. If there’s any commerce, we’ll fabricate that commerce. He gave the affect to rating thru somewhat smartly and feels merely, so we’re heading to Pittsburgh.”

Varlamov modified into 19-11-4 with a 2.04 targets-against practical and .929 place percentage in 36 video games (35 starts). He tied Colorado Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer for the NHL lead with seven shutouts.

“He’s battled exhausting all twelve months for us,” Islanders forward Jordan Eberle mentioned. “He’s a huge reason, him and Ilya, of why we’re right here. Or no longer it’s extensive to possess him back. I mediate for the most part, or no longer it’s good to possess that dual threat too. Not somewhat just a few groups within the NHL possess that, and we unquestionably accomplish right here.” — Brian Compton

Minnesota Wild

Zach Parise will more than likely be a healthy scratch when the Wild focus on with the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the supreme-of-7 Stanley Cup First Spherical on Sunday (3 p.m. ET; NBC, SN, TVAS). 

The forward is the Wild’s leading scorer within the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 34 aspects (14 targets, 20 assists) in 40 video games. Parise scored 18 aspects (7 targets, 11 assists) in 45 video games this season and modified into a healthy scratch in three of the past four video games. He modified into scratched four cases this season, and 5 cases in his NHL occupation. 

Parise averaged 13: 57 in ice time this season, the majority on the fourth line which now contains forwards Cut Bonino, Nico Sturm and Cut Bjugstad. 

“Nothing’s modified. We in actual fact love the make-up of the Bonino line, and no varied than anybody that is no longer playing,” Wild coach Dean Evason mentioned Saturday. “We needed to fabricate some selections, and these were our selections.

“Trusty that line, optimistically, or no longer it’d be a part in video games and in series. They are all gigantic, stable, they’re all pure centericemen that could perhaps well take dangle of face-offs, they’re merely down low, and all of them possess contributed offensively all around the season.” — Jessi Pierce

On Tap

There could be one game scheduled for the Stanley Cup First Spherical on Saturday.

Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals (7: 15 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS): Or no longer it’s Game 1 of this handiest-of-7 first-spherical series, the fourth time these groups possess performed every other in a Stanley Cup Playoff series and first since 2012, when the Capitals received the Eastern Convention Quarterfinals in seven video games. Boston, the No. 3 seed within the MassMutual East Division, modified into 4-2-2 against Washington, the No. 2 seed, this season. Bruins forward Brad Marchand scored 13 aspects (seven targets, six assists) within the series. Capitals defenseman Zdeno Chara will grow to be the seventh player in NHL history to play a playoff game at age 44 or older, the first since Jaromir Jagr did so for the Florida Panthers in 2016 at 44. Teams that rating Game 1 are 490-222 (68.8 percent) winning a handiest-of-7 NHL playoff series, in conjunction with 7-1 within the first spherical in 2020.

Playoff matchups

Here is a gaze on the matchups for the first spherical. Click right here for full first-spherical schedule.

Scotia North Division 

1. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. 4. Montreal Canadiens

2. Edmonton Oilers vs. 3. Winnipeg Jets

MassMututal East Division 

1. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 4. Contemporary York Islanders

2. Washington Capitals vs. 3. Boston Bruins 

Eye Central Division  

1. Carolina Hurricanes vs. 4. Nashville Predators  

2. Florida Panthers vs. 3. Tampa Bay Lightning

Honda West Division  

1. Colorado Avalanche vs. 4. St. Louis Blues

2. Vegas Golden Knights vs. 3. Minnesota Wild 

Playoff news

The schedule for the Stanley Cup First Spherical is decided. 

NHL.com personnel individuals possess made their predictions for the first spherical and the playoffs. 

Senior creator Dan Rosen supplies the tip storylines within the first spherical of the playoffs. 

Columnist Nicholas J. Cotsonika solutions loads of the most recurrently asked questions heading into the playoffs. 

NHL.com ranks the most treasured avid gamers for fantasy hockey swimming pools for the general playoffs.

Senior Director of Editorial Shawn P. Roarke has goalie energy rankings amongst the 16 playoff groups. 

Nicholas J. Cotsonika reports that the NHL expects a “unheard of” Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Capacity disagreement-makers and fantasy-pool X-factors for every group within the playoffs.