The Penguins took Sunday off and hit the ice yesterday for their first workout of the week, albeit an optional skate. And now they know their opponent for the first round of the NHL East playoffs. It will be the New York Islanders, whose overtime 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins last night set the final standings in the division. The first-place Penguins will tangle with the Islanders while the Bruins will face off with the second-place Washington Capitals.
The Pens and Islanders have met five times in the Stanley Cup playoffs, with New York winning four of the series. The most recent series was two years ago, when the Isles swept the Penguins. This year, the Penguins were 6-2 against the Islanders, most recently winning on March 29th, 2-1.
Coach Mike Sullivan says the Penguins have some time to heal up, with the playoff schedule not yet announced and one more night of action tonight in the regular season, when the Bruins play the Capitals.
Sullivan says the Pens hope to stay sharp by playing scrimmages this week.
Sullivan says the Penguins have a plan to stay as game-ready as possible this week.
Winger Jake Guentzel skates on the Penguins’ top line with Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust. He says Rust is one of the most underrated players in the NHL.
Guentzel says the team’s recent playoff failures should be more than enough motivation for the Islanders series.
Defenseman Brian Dumoulin says the Penguins needed the break after the grind of the regular season, and now its time to get back to work.
Dumoulin says the Pens will need to be ready for the intensity of playoff hockey.
The Islanders’ Nick Leddy said after last night’s loss to the Bruins that the Penguins will be ready for them, so they’ll need to get better fast after a disappointing slide at the end of the regular season.
At yesterday’s optional workout, Evgeni Malkin, Mike Matheson, Brandon Tanev, Evan Rodrigues, who are all dealing with injuries, joined nine other skaters, while goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith worked out on their own. Malkin was full-go after being injured in a mid-ice collision Saturday against Buffalo.
Casey DeSmith has been chosen as the Penguins’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. The nomination was made by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
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