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It was back and forth, it was nerve-wracking, and it ended with a late winner by the captain rebounding a Ryan Pulock blast. Also, Semyon Varlamov robbed Sidney Crosby: not a bad return to play after a week off thanks to opponents doing the Covid.
The Islanders still wake up today in a four-way tie for fifth, or last, place in the Patrick Atlantic Metro East...uh, whatever their division is, but they’re also now just one point behind the Penguins after defeating them 4-3 last night.
More importantly, they ended their winless streak, which is good for the soul.
Islanders News
- About last night: At last, it was happiness! [LHH | Newsday | NHL | NYI Hockey Now |
- Trotz was pleased with the power play: “That may have been one of our best power plays,” Trotz said. “They had a really good attack mentality, retrievals and that was huge.” [Isles]
- I’m not going to lie, I remember when Semyon Varlamov was a “maybe he’ll make it?” prospect in D.C. and I’m feeling old seeing all these guys — and a goalie — reach his 500th game. [Newsday]
Probably won’t last, but Michael Dal Colle got a nice opportunity with Jordan Eberle and it paid off with assists on both of Eberle’s goals.
Anders Lee on Michael Dal Colle: "He was hopping on pucks, strong on them, strong on bodies. He played with that energy and he created those calls... Really lit that fire for our team when we needed that jump." #Isles
— Joe Pantorno (@JoePantorno) February 7, 2021
Eberle, by the way, is off to a hot start...
Jordan Eberle's first 10 games in each season of his #Isles career:
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) February 7, 2021
2017-18: 0 goals
2018-19: 1 goal
2019-20: 0 goals
2020-21: 5 goals (with 40 minutes to go)
Jordan Eberle cites consistency and the same coaching staff for three years as a big reason for his hot start: "I've never had that in my NHL career. To have that opportunity to come back with the same guys and same familiarity... that's been really nice for me." #Isles
— Joe Pantorno (@JoePantorno) February 7, 2021
This save last night though {goalie kiss}:
Happy 500th, Varly! #Isles pic.twitter.com/XGD2ljBEe2
— IslesBlog (@IslesBlog) February 7, 2021
Elsewhere
Last night’s other NHL scores included...no other divisional games because all of our foes are in Covid protocol.
- With so many postponements, the NHL is looking at increasing rapid testing for Covid. [Sportsnet]
- Tough blow for the Blue Jackets as Zach Werenski goes on IR. [ESPN]
- Anton Khudobin did a bad bad thing. We don’t know what it was but it is against team rules so he sits. [NHL]
- After a scratch, want-away Sam Bennett returned to the Flames lineup, but the most important question here, really, is how might this affect the Leafs? [Sportsnet]
- The Flyers had an artist live-paint Gritty during a game, Titanic-style, and it was surreal. [NHL]
- Jarome Iginla’s children are traitors because kids are monsters. [Sportsnet]
And finally, happy Super Bowl day, to those who celebrate. I don’t know who’s playing, because the NHL’s Canadian Division overshadows everything.