NHL Review April 19, 2021
ISLANDERS INCH CLOSER TO TOP OF DIVISION; BRUINS, RANGERS KEEP PACE
The Islanders (28-13-4, 60 points) blanked the Flyers 1-0 in overtime to move within two points of the MassMutual East Division-leading Capitals (29-13-4, 62 points), while the Bruins (25-12-6, 56 points) and Rangers (23-16-6, 52 points) also earned wins on Sunday to keep pace.
Ilya Sorokin made 30 saves to record his third shutout of the season and defenseman Nick Leddy was credited with the third overtime goal of his NHL career as the Islanders concluded their eight-game season series against the Flyers with a 5-1-2 record (PHI: 3-1-4).
Brad Marchand (2-2—4) became the ninth player to record 700 points with Boston (313-387—700 in 792 GP) and was the fifth fastest to do so as the Bruins, who occupy fourth in the division, moved within three points of the third-place Penguins (28-14-3, 59 points).
Marchand collected an assist on the 20th career shorthanded goal by Patrice Bergeron (2-1—3). Bergeron (10) and Marchand (8) have combined for 18 shorthanded goals since 2017-18, which is more than five NHL franchises have scored over that span: Washington (17), Minnesota (17), Los Angeles (16), Toronto (16) and Philadelphia (15).
Mika Zibanejad had a first-period assist to extend his point streak to six contests and then scored the go-ahead goal with 3:00 remaining in regulation as the Rangers swept their four-game set against the Devils (NJD: 0-4-0). New York remained four points back of Boston.
HOLTBY SHINES AS CANUCKS RALLY IN RETURN TO ACTION
Braden Holtby made 37 saves, including a highlight-reel stop on Wayne Simmonds in the third period, and Bo Horvat (2-1—3) buried the overtime winner as the Canucks rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Scotia North Division-leading the Toronto Maple Leafs in their return to action.
SONS OF STANLEY CUP WINNERS FOOTE, SAMUELSSON MAKE NHL DEBUTS
New Jersey forward Nolan Foote assisted on a game-tying goal during his NHL debut as the Devils rallied from a 3-0 deficit to pull even before eventually falling to the Rangers. His father, Adam, skated 19 seasons in the NHL, which included capturing the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996 and 2001.
Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson was held off the score sheet through 14:12 of ice time during his first NHL game but logged one shot on goal as Buffalo defeated Pittsburgh, the team his father, Kjell, won a Stanley Cup with in 1992.
MARLEAU SET TO PASS HOWE FOR MOST GAMES PLAYED IN NHL HISTORY
Monday’s slate concludes with Vegas hosting San Jose at T-Mobile Arena, where Sharks forward Patrick Marleau is set to skate in the 1,768th regular-season game of his NHL career and pass Gordie Howe (1,767 GP) for sole possession of the most in League history. Howe has held the distinction since Nov. 26, 1961 when he overtook Ted Lindsay (999 GP) and became the first player to appear in at least 1,000 career NHL regular-season games.
The Golden Knights defeated the Ducks on Sunday to extend their winning streak to six games, the longest active run in the NHL. Mark Stone (1-1—2), who has skated in the same division as Marleau for parts of each of the past four seasons, recorded multiple points for a fourth straight game (3-5—8).
Sabres’ Dustin Tokarski, Frontline Healthcare Hero Michaela Pastorius Named NHL ‘First Stars’ of the Week Rangers’ Panarin, Golden Knights’ Stone Round Out ‘Three Stars
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Dustin Tokarski and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center RN Michaela Pastorius have been named the NHL’s “First Stars” for the week ending April 18.
Throughout the 2020-21 season the NHL is celebrating the remarkable efforts of the off-ice stars who make it possible for us to play our games amid a pandemic by honoring frontline healthcare heroes from the regions represented by the League’s weekly and monthly “Stars.”
Pastorius works as a nurse at Buffalo’s Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, where just a few years ago she was walking the same halls as a patient battling a cancer diagnosis. Pastorius put nursing school on hold while going through treatment, but vowed to finish her degree and now works alongside the nurses who once cared for her as a patient.
The inpatient unit at Roswell Park where Pastorius works – known as 6West – is typically for cancer patients with solid tumors, but has become a designated COVID-19 space over the past year. Pastorius understands what these patients are going through and brings a positive attitude to the floor despite the incredibly challenging and emotional experience of the pandemic on both patients and staff.
“When I was going through inpatient chemotherapy at Roswell Park, the Buffalo Sabres gave me motivation to continue fighting,” Pastorius says. “The amount of support the Sabres show for Roswell and its patients felt personal to me since I am such a big fan . . . The appreciation I had and still have for their support is bottomless.”
Rounding out the “Three Stars” of the week are New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin and Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone. More on each NHL player’s performance can be found below:
FIRST STAR – DUSTIN TOKARSKI, G, BUFFALO SABRES
Tokarski made a League-best 128 saves on 137 shots, compiling a 2.27 goals-against average and .934 save percentage to help the Sabres (12-26-7, 31 points) go 2-1-1 versus three of the top four teams in the MassMutual NHL East Division. He turned aside 29 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins April 13. Tokarski then recorded 27 saves for his first NHL victory since Dec. 12, 2015 (w/ MTL) – and first win since his father passed away in 2017 – in a 5-2 triumph over the Washington Capitals April 15. He finished the week with a pair of starts against the Pittsburgh Penguins, making 38 saves in a 3-2 loss April 17 followed by 34 stops in a 4-2 victory April 18. The 31-year-old Watson, Sask., native – who last appeared in the NHL in 2016-17 (w/ ANA) prior to signing with Buffalo in November – has played in nine games this season, posting a 2-5-2 record with a 3.15 goals-against average and .914 save percentage.
SECOND STAR – ARTEMI PANARIN, LW, NEW YORK RANGERS
Panarin led the NHL with 4-6—10 and a +8 rating (tied) in four contests to power the Rangers (23-16-6, 52 points) to a sweep of their four-game series against the New Jersey Devils. Panarin scored once in a 3-0 win April 13, giving him a franchise-record 138 points (45-93—138) through his first 100 appearances with New York. He then collected multiple points in each of his next three games, notching 2-1—3 in a 4-0 triumph April 15, 1-3—4 (including the game-winning goal) in a 6-3 victory April 17 and two assists in a 5-3 win April 18. The 29-year-old Korkino, Russia, native and 2015-16 Calder Memorial Trophy winner ranks second in the League with 1.53 points per game this season, placing 10th overall with 16-36—52 in 34 outings.
THIRD STAR – MARK STONE, RW, VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Stone ranked second in the NHL with 3-5—8 in four games to lift the Golden Knights (31‑11-2, 64 points) to a perfect week and their sixth straight win dating to April 9. He recorded consecutive 1-1—2 performances in a pair of matchups against the Los Angeles Kings, a 4-2 victory April 12 and 6-2 triumph April 14. Stone added another four points in two games versus the Anaheim Ducks, collecting two assists in a 4-0 win April 16 and 1-1—2 in a 5-2 victory April 18. The 28-year-old Winnipeg native tops Vegas and places 12th in the NHL with 15-35—50 through 43 contests this season. He also sits among the League leaders in plus/minus (3rd; +25), game-winning goals (t-3rd; 7), shooting percentage (7th; 20.3%) and assists (t-8th; 35).