East Division Update - March 18th

(Image Credits: 1 - Broad Street Hockey, 2 - Pittsburgh Post Gazette, 3 - Diebytheblade.com)

FLYERS @ ISLANDERS

This game featured two teams in entirely different places in the division. The Flyers suffered a massive loss at MSG last night 9-0. The Islanders lost a close one in Washington on Tuesday 3-1, but have been enjoying their first place spot in the East. The two fought hard in this game, with each goaltender making big contributions, and keeping their respective teams in it. The Flyers and Isles would go to down to the wire, with Philadelphia winning it 4-3. The Flyers really needed these two points, especially after their recent struggle to keep pucks out of the net.

Scoring:

Flyers: Oskar Lindblom (3,4), Claude Giroux (7), Jakub Voracek (5).

Islanders: Michael Dal Colle (1), Sebastian Aho (1), Oliver Wahlstrom (7).

BRUINS @ SABERS

This game would end exactly how everybody would think, with Buffalo losing again. The Sabers recently hired a new coach after relieving their old one of his duties amidst a 12 game losing streak, but it didn’t seem to matter in tonight‘s game as Boston walked all over them en-route to a 4-1 win. The Bruins have been struggling to score lately, and playing a Buffalo team without any resistance seems to be every teams answer. Jaroslav Halak made 23/24 saves in the win for Boston.

Scoring:

Bruins: Greg McKegg (1), Jake DeBrusk (3-PPG), Craig Smith (5), David Pasternak (14-PPG).

Sabers: Kyle Okposo (1-SHG).

PENGUINS @ DEVILS

This game was quite different than people would’ve expected. The Penguins were coming off of an outstanding effort at home against Boston, despite losing 2-1 in regulation. The Devils got a win in their last game to snap their four game losing streak against the Sabers, and were looking for more points here in Jersey tonight. The Penguins were missing Evgeni Malkin and Teddy Blueger for this one, and the team announced they would both be on LTIR, which will really hurt their flow. Defenseman John Marino would return to the lineup tonight though, which gave the Penguins some depth on the back end. New Jersey put up a hell of an effort, and Pittsburgh couldn’t match it. The Penguins lost this one 3-2, and dropped their second straight game after winning six in a row. Scott Wedgwood was very good for New Jersey in goal, starting last minute for suddenly-injured goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood.

Scoring:

Devils: Jack Hughes (7), P.K. Subban (3-PPG), Travis Zajac (3).

Penguins: Jake Guentzel (12-PPG), Bryan Rust (10).

Standings Update After Tonight:

1. Washington

2. NY Islanders

3. Pittsburgh

4. Boston

5. Philadelphia

6. NY Rangers

7. New Jersey

8. Buffalo