A little more, and a little more of the same from cleanout day. Also: The Leafs fall again.
Breakup day had a very “as you were” kind of feel, but maybe there were hints that at least some changes are coming for the New York Islanders. We’ll see.
Islanders News
- Lou: “It’s obvious when you look at the roster there are some younger players coming in that are going to demand more ice time. And we will make whatever changes are necessary to get better. Are we satisfied where we are? Absolutely not.” [Post]
- Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin: Both want to stay…but does Lou? [Newsday | Post | AM NY]
- Staple: “Lamoriello’s most telling comment was this one: ‘We love loyalty. But it can’t impede progress.’” However, the Lou quote that may stick out all summer, even though it was in relation to have Patrick Roy in place as coach, was: “I couldn’t be more pleased with where we are today.” [Athletic]
- Brooks: Lou needs to sacrifice a key piece in order to adapt to today’s NHL. Given all the NTCs and big contracts, he says you trade Brock Nelson. [Post]
- The breakup day coverage also included Ilya Sorokin acknowledging his tough season and determination to get right back to work. [Newsday | Post]
- One thing the Isles have to look forward to is a notoriously tough training camp with Roy at the helm. [Newsday]
Elsewhere
The second round pairings are not quite set, but they’re going to start it today anyway. The Smurfs and Hurricanes begin with Game 1 this afternoon in the Series That Does Not Exist, while Vegas and Dallas go at it in Game 7 tonight.
- The Leafs were eliminated again, and in cruel (teehee) fashion: They finally broke the 0-0 score to get a 1-0 third-period lead in Game 7, only to have the Bruins tie it right back and then win very early in OT. Is the Shanaplan finally expired? [Athletic]
- David Pastrnak, who scored the OT winner with a brilliant move after picking up a perfect dump-in bank off the corner boards, responded like a champ to Jim Montgomery publicly calling for him to do more. [NHL]
Seriously, this move is perfection, nimbly done in tight:
You can see David Pastrnak signal and call for the dump pass
A beautifully executed set play pic.twitter.com/6EVC0UPw8Y
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) May 5, 2024
Pastrnak blazed past Leafs whipping boy and My Father Said I Could Play guy Mitch Marner, so you know Leafs Nation is crucifying him today.
- A picture worth a thousand words at the top of this one: Break up the Leafs’ core. #91 disagrees: “We’re right there,” the captain said. “I mean, it’s very small difference.” [Sportsnet]
- Adin Hill is expected to start Game 7 for Vegas, after getting the shutout in Game 6. [NHL]
- Keep an eye on potential drama in Pittsburgh, where after two weeks Kyle Dubas says he and Mike Sullivan “agree” that letting assistant Todd Reirden go is best. Basically, no one believes Sullivan was supportive of this. [Athletic]
- Your Selke finalists: Barkov, Matthews and Staal. [NHL]