Happy Shawn Bates Penalty Shot Day.
After last night’s AHL results, there is officially nothing Islanders playoff-related to discuss anymore except the past and perhaps hopes for the future.
The end of Bridgeport’s 25-year run as the Islanders’ AHL affiliate came with a frustratingly familiar, quick playoff exit. The Bridgeport Islanders (nee Sound Tigers) were swept in their best-of-three opener against Hershey, losing Game 2 Thursday night.
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Their previous postseason appearance, in 2021-22, included a qualifying mini-round 2-0 sweep of Providence before quickly exiting at the hands of Charlotte, 3-1.
Prior to that, in their Sound Tigers era, they’d make the playoffs about once every three seasons with first-round exits — often to Hershey or Wilkes-Barrie — each time other than their first two appearances. The first season, when they made it to the finals under Steve Stirling, was and remains the high point.
By the way, Cory Schneider has been doing some unofficial goalie coaching with the Baby Islanders. [THN]
Meanwhile, in the NHL playoffs, there are some good series…and some laughers.
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The Stanley Cup favorite Avalanche have the Kings on the brink at 3-0, which is no surprise to anyone — honestly, the Kings have done well with their vaunted defense to keep each game close.
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The Hurricanes likewise have the Senators’ backs against the wall after winning Game 3 in Ottawa. That included an amazing sequence where the Senators couldn’t get the puck out of their half of the ice with a sixth attacker. It was a remarkable display of incompetence for a playoff team, and great work by the Canes.
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The other 3-0 series is the Battle of Pennsylvania, but the Penguins get an extra day to complain about officiating and stew over their doomed fate in Philadelphia, as that series resumes on Saturday.
Friday night’s games span the time zones, with three 1-1 series shifting venues: The Lightning in Montreal, the Knights in Utah and the Oilers in Anaheim.
Meanwhile, in Detroit, the man who has been in charge of getting players for the Wings for most of their decade-long playoff drought says they need to get better players. [TSN]
