Varlamov stops 27 as Isles top Panthers

ISLANDERS 2

PANTHERS 1

TORONTO — Semyon Varlamov stopped 27 shots and the Islanders opened their best-offive playoff series with a 2-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday in the NHL's return following a 4 1/2-month break.

Anthony Beauvillier scored the decisive goal on a power play at 3:39 of the second period. The goal was scored a little over a minute after Florida's Mike Matheson was penalized for a hit to the head on defenseman Johnny Boychuk, who did not return.

Coach Barry Trotz didn't have an update on Boychuk following the game, but was pleased in how the Islanders not only stayed disciplined immediately follow- ing the hit, but also capitalized on the penalty.

“The best way to respond after a hit or whatever is a goal on the power play,” Trotz said.

Islanders trade deadline addition Jean-Gabriel Pageau opened the scoring re-directing in Derick Brassard's centering pass 12 minutes into the game.

Jonathan Huberdeau scored 23 seconds into the third period for Florida's lone goal.

The Islanders entered the NHL's 24-team expanded playoff as the Eastern Conference's seventh seed, while the Panthers are 10th.

Florida's Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 26 shots in his first start since Feb. 29. Bobrovsky missed the Panthers' final four games due to injury before the NHL season was paused on March 12.

The Islanders beat Florida for the fifth straight time, dating to the 2018-19 regular season, and continued keeping the high-scoring Panthers in check.

“We did it the right way,” Beauvillier said. “A really quick pace. It was a tough game out there. The whole team was ready for it.”