Much like the Penguins, the Bruins are loaded up front. Charlie McAvoy is a Norris-caliber defenseman, and is coming off a stellar regular season. Boston is a bit banged up on the back end, with Jeremy Lauzon, Kevan Miller and Jakub Zboril coming off injuries and Steven Kampfer ruled out. They also have a more balanced and experienced defensive core led by Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock, who shut down the Penguins’ top line in the first round. However, the Islanders still allowed fewer goals this season. The 25-year-old stole a couple games - including a 48-save masterpiece in Game 5 - but the team could go back to the more experienced Varlamov.ĭenis Potvin impressed by Islanders squad full of ‘heroes’ He returned for Games 2 and 3, both losses, before turning things over to Sorokin. Sorokin started the series-opening win while Varlamov was held out after sustaining an injury in the regular-season finale. 1 throughout the regular season, in which he had a career year and led the league with seven shutouts, the 33-year-old netminder was rocky in his two starts in the first-round series against the Penguins. The Islanders have maintained their faith in both of their goalies, veteran Semyon Varlamov and rookie Ilya Sorokin. Brad Marchand and Mathew Barzal Getty Images (2) Goaltending The Post’s Mollie Walker takes a look at how the teams matchup. Three of the eight games went to overtime, including a shootout. But in the final three meetings, when the Islanders were on a downward spiral, the Bruins rolled to three wins, outscoring the Isles 10-3. The Islanders went 5-3 against the Bruins during the regular season, winning the first five matchups and outscoring Boston 18-8. Both squads look nearly the same as they did during those respective runs, which means it’s sure to be a series that highlights how hungry each team is. But these are two teams that have made a run at winning it all in the last three seasons, with the Isles coming off a conference final appearance in 2019-20 and the Bruins falling just short of the Cup in 2018-19, with a seven-game finals loss to the Blues. The last time these teams squared off in the playoffs was back in 1982-83, when the Islanders defeated Boston in the conference final on the way to their fourth straight Stanley Cup. So arguably the most loaded division in the NHL comes down to the Islanders and Bruins. Islanders coach likely to return despite ‘ups and downs’ Youngster’s Islanders role up for debate this offseason What the Islanders might salvage if the Maple Leafs’ upveaval becomes a full implosion Star’s position issue taking center stage in Islanders’ offseason
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