Islanders vs. Bruins Playoff News: Various views on how bad Game 1 was

The Boston Bruins got their electric moment in front of the home fans to kick off the second-round series, capping it with a hat-raising hat trick for David Pastrnak to seal the win over the Islanders in Game 1. Hopefully all concerned got that out of their system.

The post-game reaction had the Isles falling into the “we were right there, but we need to be better” camp. Somewhere far between “sky fell” and “deserved to win.”

They had a chance to win, of course, tied and on the power play early in the second period, then things did not break the right way. I’d argue they broke pretty well their way in the first two periods for them to be in that position, but opinions vary.

Our next sampling is Game 2, Monday night.

Islanders-Bruins News

Thus Spake Trotzathustra

Some takeaways from Barry Trotz’s post-game: He didn’t see it as lopsided, suggesting there was a “happy trigger finger” on the shot count in the first (I agree there, and raised that in the recap), didn’t have any issues with the first line — he said one line (likely the B-B-B line) was on their game, but the other lines each had their moments. He was asked about the goaltending, but wasn’t tipping a hand of concern, if there is any.

• Recaps and post-mortems: [LHH | SCOC | Newsday]
• Barry Trotz and Andy Greene were not concerned about the lopsided shot count. Greene: “We’re not too worried about that. I know it looks like a big number, but through the first two periods it felt like scoring chances were pretty equal, pretty even or close.” [Isles]
• Brooks: “Perhaps they saw no advantage in beating themselves up in the Zoom room after the Bruins had pretty well done that on the ice. Still, there seemed a pretty significant disconnect between what the Islanders representatives were saying and what most people were seeing.” [Post]
• Pastrnak: “In the warmup, it felt like 22 players were playing their first NHL game. It’s a different sport with fans in the building. It warms your heart and reminds you why you play the sport.” [Herald]
• Game 1 Takeaways: Arthur Staple advocates for a change to the top line (it was his question in the post-game that got Trotz to say he didn’t have issues with the line. #LeoLives) [Athletic]
• Both teams added key ex-Devils at the deadline, which are paying off to varying degrees. [Post]
• The Isles say they’re excited about playing in front of big houses again, home or road. [Newsday]
• Neil Best: It will take perfection to stop the “perfection line.” [Newsday] The same. [Newsday]
• Casey Cizikas likes the challenge of going up against the best at the faceoff dot. [Post]
• They finally announced the rest of the second-round schedule. Two days between Games 3 and 4. [Isles]
• A night to remember for Bruins fans finally fully back in the house in Boston. [Athletic | Globe]
• Speaking with the Enemy: ICYMI, we exchanged questions with our pals/enemies at Stanley Cup of Chowdah. [LHH | SCOC]
• KP Dupont: The Islanders dynasty only gets better with age. [Globe]

Islanders but not (2021) Playoffs

• In the latest Maven’s Memories, Stan Fischler recalls the 1981 Cup. [Isles]
• Check it: Summer hockey clinic for K-7th grade in Oyster Bay. [Isles]

Other NHL News

I admit the sting of last night’s loss was soothed somewhat by seeing the Canadiens push the Leafs to 7 games by winning in OT. The Habs were up 2-0, gave up that lead late, then won in OT.

• Tonight the Lightning and Hurricanes, and the Knights and Avalanche kick off their second-round series. Nino Niederreiter is questionable. [NHL]
• Our friends at Habs Eyes On The Prize sure enjoyed pushing the Leafs to the brink. [HEOTP] Leafs fans, not so much, but Game 6 was another back-and-forth affair. [PPP]
• The Jets are “calm but ready” as they await the winner of that series. [Sportsnet]
• The Blue Jackets take another psychological blow: Apparently Seth Jones has informed them he won’t be signing an extension. [Sportsnet | Athletic]
• After the Islanders broke Jarry, who should — who can — be the Penguins goalie next year? [PensBurgh]