PENGUINS REST, WAIT FOR NHL EAST TO SORT ITSELF OUT By Hometown1
May 10, 2021 | 5:15 AM
The Penguins have some time to heal after their regular season ended with Saturday’s 1-0 win over Buffalo, a win that clinched first place in the NHL East, with a helping hand from the Flyers. Philadelphia lost Saturday to Washington, but by forcing the game to overtime, the Flyers ensured that Pittsburgh wins the title and also secures home ice advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs, if they can make the second round.
The Islanders play at Boston tonight, with third place on the line in the NHL East. New York trails the Bruins by one point in the NHL East. The Penguins have clinched the top seed and will play whichever team finishes fourth. The Bruins, who lost some games due to covid, will play the Capitals tomorrow night in the season finale. When the playoffs begin, Washington will play whichever team finished third in the East.
Syracuse Crunch breezes past Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 4-1
Updated 10:32 PM;
By Syracuse Crunch
Syracuse, N.Y. Otto Somppi tallied four points in a 4-1 Syracuse Crunch victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday night at the Upstate Medical University Arena.
The win snaps a two-game skid and advances the Crunch to 11-8-1-0 on the season. Syracuse won the six-game season series against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 5-1-0-0.
Crunch goaltender Spencer Martin turned aside 24-of-25 shots. Alex D’Orio stopped 13-of-16 between the pipes for the Penguins. Both teams were unable to convert on two power play opportunities.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN- The Wheeling Nailers were playing their third game in three days on Sunday afternoon, and they threw everything they could at the fresh Indy Fuel at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Unfortunately, Wheeling ran into a hot goaltender, as Michael Joly s third period shot was the only one that solved Dan Bakala, who made 35 saves in a 3-1 Fuel win on home ice.
Special teams dictated some of the first period story, as the Nailers came up empty on four man advantages, while the Fuel cashed in on their first. Nic Pierog drove into the zone on the left side and got some help from Mathew Thompson, who tipped a pass over to Michael Pelech for the tally from the right side of the slot.
Zack Rawson | Special to The Journal Gazette
Komets forward Justin Vaive, middle, scores in the first period Friday as the Wheeling Nailers Scott Drevitch grabs him from behind in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Zack Rawson | Special to The Journal Gazette
The Komets Randy Gazzola, left, collides with the Wheeling Nailers Sean Josling on Friday at Wheeling, West Virginia.
Zack Rawson | Special to The Journal Gazette
Komets forward Morgan Adams-Moisan, left, defends the Wheeling Nailers Matt Miller on Friday at Wheeling, West Virginia.
Zack Rawson | Special to The Journal Gazette
The Komets Justin Vaive, left, tussles with the Wheeling Nailers Nick Rivera on Friday at Wheeling, West Virginia.