Islanders Playoff Gameday 2 News: Pageau’s progress, Isles eye the positives

The Islanders are back at it for Game 2 in Raleigh tonight, with the possible change of J-G Pageau returning to the lineup. Patrick Roy yesterday said there was a chance, although Pageau’s absence probably wasn’t an X factor in their loss in Game 1.

The mood heading into tonight is that the Islanders played well — surprisingly well compared to pre-playoff odds and pundit picks — but Frederik Andersen, who started off shaky, stole what could’ve easily been an Isles win.

Whether that was a one-off or a harbinger that this may be a more competitive series than many expect, only time will tell, starting tonight. The nature and short span of a playoff series means there are lots of coulda-woulda’s in either direction that might’ve sent the series in a different direction (Rod Brind’Amour’s lament about the Canes being swept but it not really being a sweep comes to mind).

Often, these also turn on Game 2: Do we get a split and “now it’s a series,” or do the Isles fall in a hole and their obituaries start to get pre-written?

Islanders News

• On Islanders Anxiety podcast episode #289, Dan and Mike channeled the conflicted mood of the weekend: Encouraging and frustrating. They discussed the maddening bad bounces and the missed calls — or calls in the face of dives — that are deja vu. [LHH]
• The Isles know what they need to focus on for Game 2, like higher danger chances and also Carolina players’ propensity to fall at the slightest touch. [Newsday]
• The Islanders hope they’re on to something with how they approached the Canes in Game 1. [THN | Athletic | AMNY]
• Previewing tonight: The Isles need to more of that, but better. [Isles]
• Kyle MacLean is often associated with the Devils, but he and his father’s connections also run deep with the Hurricanes. [Post]
• MacLean has continued to provide a spark, and his teammates are excited for him. [Athletic | Isles]
• Rod Brind’Amour is in his sixth year of helping turn around the Hurricanes. [AP]

Elsewhere

• The Panthers stifled the Lightning in Game 1, and the Bolts have to figure out a way to fight through it. [NHL]
• The Bruins are still “contemplating” alternating goalies for Game 2, like they have since February. [TSN]
• Heavens to Besty, the Jets outlasted the Avalanche, 7-6 in Game 1. That series may be where the #createchaos truly lies. [NHL]
• Despite the goalfest, the Jets credit Connor Hellebuyck with calming them down. [Sportsnet]
• Meanwhile, Colorado’s Alexandar Georgiev made only 16 saves and “probably needs to be better.” [Sportsnet]
• Dakota Joshua starred as the Canucks rallied to take Game 1 from the Predators. [Sportsnet]
• Matt Rempe scored in his playoff debut, so we’ll be hearing about that for the next 54 years. [NHL]
• In a headline that could’ve been written before the series even started, the Capitals “have to be much better in Game 2.” [NHL]
• William Nylander participated in the optional skate, but his status for the Leafs in Game 2 is still undetermined. [TSN]
• The Leafs are now convincing themselves the past doesn’t matter. [Sportsnet]
• Sheldon Keefe said the Leafs were undisciplined in Game 1, including Max Domi’s slash of Brad Marchand (granted everyone on the planet would want to slash Brad Marchand). [THN]
• Jakob Markstrom and Craig Conroy were frank with each other but aren’t sharing the details with media, as speculation continues that there was a deal (almost?) in place for him to head to the Devils that fell through, and that he’ll want to move on. [Sportsnet]