Quick East Division Update - February 28th

(Image Credits: 1 - MSG, 2 - The Blade Never Brakes, 3 - NBCS Washington, 4 - Boston.com)

Tonight featured four games in the East, the busiest night I can remember in a while. As a result, this post will be short and sweet regarding the results and standings update after the conclusion of each contest. The teams in action included: Pittsburgh @ NY Islanders, Washington @ New Jersey, Philadelphia @ Buffalo and Boston @ New York. Each game analysis below.

PITTSBURGH @ ISLANDERS

The Penguins were clearly tired coming into this one, after getting the overtime win in Long Island just last night. The Islanders brought it hard, and Pittsburgh didn't give much of a retaliatory effort. The Pens lost 2-0, with Illya Sorokin getting the 20 save shutout. The Penguins only had 10 shots through two periods, which is unacceptable, and something I'm sure head coach Mike Sullivan brought up postgame.

Goal Scoring:

Islanders: Oliver Wahlstrom (3,PPG), Jean-Gabriel Paguea (9, PPG).

Penguins: No Goals.

WASHINGTON @ NEW JERSEY

The Caps were coming into this one riding high, after beating New Jersey yesterday by a score of 5-2. The Devils were expected to push a little harder in this one, not wanting to lose back-to-back games to the same opponent. The Caps got the narrow win in this one, 3-2 after an outstanding goal-tending performance from Illya Samsonov in his return from a conditioning stint in the AHL. The Devils are struggling right now, and Washington is starting to surge. Two teams going in completely different directions.

Goal Scoring:

Washington: Jakub Vrana (7, ES), Nicholas Backstrom (10, ES), Alex Ovechkin (7, ES).

New Jersey: Mikhail Maltsev (2, ES), Yegor Sharengovich (3, ES).

PHILIDELPHIA @ BUFFALO

The Flyers visited Buffalo for the second straight game, coming off a shutout in the last one. The Sabers were trying to get any momentum at this point, as they continue to be the bottom feeder of this division. The Sabers would again drop this game, by the same score of 3-0. Philly is getting some needed wins, after they went a few games without getting any points, and slipped a little in the standings. Flyers goaltender Carter Hart got the shutout here tonight, making 28 saves in the victory. Jonas Johanson, however, gave up three goals on 38 shots and got no help from the Buffalo offense once again.

Goal Scoring:

PHILIDELPHIA: Sean Couturier (5, ES), Michael Raffl (3, ES), James Van Riemsdyk (10, ES).

BUFFALO: No Goals.

BRUINS @ RANGERS

This game was going to be interesting after the Rangers put together a stellar performance the other night at Madison Square Garden, lighting up the Boston Bruins for a 6-2 win. The Bruins came into this game on a slide and knew if they wanted to remain at the top of the standings, they had to win here tonight. Boston kept the pressure on all night and came away with a 4-1 win for their efforts. Goaltender Tuukka Rask made 20 saves on 21 shots for the W, and the Bruins got some goals to help him out. The Rangers goalies both got some time in this one after Alexander Georgiev was pulled to undergo concussion protocol following a collision.

Goal Scoring:

BRUINS: Charlie Coyle (4, ES), Trent Fredric (2, ES), Charlie McAvoy (3, ES), Charlie Coyle (5, SHG).

RANGERS: Colin Blackwell (5, ES).

Standings Update After Tonight:

1. Washington

2. Boston

3. NY Islanders

4. Philidelphia

5. Pittsburgh

6. NY Rangers

7. New Jersey

8. Buffalo