East Division Update - April 3rd

This one will be a little bit shorter than usual, as I had a busy weekend and didn't get to it sooner. There were three games today in the East, including Pittsburgh @ Boston, Philidelphia @ NY Islanders, and NY Rangers @ Buffalo. My short analysis of each below.

(Image Credits: 1 - Ebene Magazine, 2 - ESPN, 3 - PensBurgh).

RANGERS @ SABERS

The Rangers and Sabers battled a close one out in Buffalo, which probably shouldn't have been the case given the teams' records. The Sabers never quit, even when the Rangers pressed in the middle of the game, and earned themselves a 3-2 Shootout win. The Rangers shouldn't have lost this game when comparing roster talent, and it may hurt them later in the month when they are trying to climb the standings into a postseason spot. The Sabers have won 2/3 and are playing much better defensively, giving up just 7 goals in their last three games. Goaltender Linus Ullmark made 28 saves on 30 shots for Buffalo and played a major factor in the shootout win.

Scoring:

Rangers: Artemi Panarin (10 - PPG, 11).

Sabers: Casey Mittelstadt (3), Victor Oloffson (10).

Shootout: Buffalo: Tage Thompson (Winner).

PENGUINS @ BRUINS

This game was absolutely wild and had multiple shifts in momentum. The Pens were flying coming into this one on a five-game winning streak. The Bruins needed to get their act together after losing to Pittsburgh 4-1 on Thursday night, a game in which they got BADLY outplayed by the Penguins. The Bruins started slow again, surrendering the first goal to the Pens in the first five minutes of the game. Boston turned the tables in the second and seized the momentum. The Bruins led 5-3 after two periods and held off the Penguins' relentless comeback in the third, winning 7-5 in regulation. Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith had not given up more than three goals all season, a number that was not sustainable in a division as good as this one. The Bruins got all 7 goals from their top four players and struggled with depth scoring once again, despite getting the 2 points tonight. The Penguins were bound to have a sloppy defensive game eventually with how well they have been playing, and this one sure qualifies with all the mistakes they made.

Scoring:

Penguins: Mark Jankowski (3), Jake Guentzel (16), Jared McCann (9 - PPG), Cody Ceci (3), Sidney Crosby (15 - SHG).

Bruins: Brad Marchand (15,16,17 - Hattrick), Patrice Bergeron (11), David Krejci (2 - PPG), David Pasternak (15,16).

FLYERS @ ISLANDERS

The Flyers traveled to Long Island to face an Islanders team that has been clicking offensively as of late. The Flyers have been struggling, and for that reason, they sit outside the playoff picture right now. The two battled it out pretty hard in this one, but Illya Sorokin was the difference, making all four saves in the shootout for the Isles. New York would win this 3-2, once again showcasing why getting in a close game with this team is not a good idea. The Flyers have been struggling to score goals, and their goaltending, while improved, needs to better when called upon in close games.

Scoring:

Flyers: Claude Giroux (10,11).

Islanders: Anthony Beauvillier (7 - PPG, 8).

Shootout: Islanders: Matt Barzal (Winner).

Standings Update After Tonight:

1. Capitals - 52 Points

2. NY Islanders - 52 Points

3. Penguins - 50 Points

4. Bruins - 43 Points

5. Flyers - 39 Points

6. NY Rangers - 39 Points

7. Devils - 32 Points

8. Sabers - 22 Points