Islanders take 3- 1 series lead over Flyers
Jean Gabriel Pageau scored the go- ahead goal 7: 18 into the third period and the New York Islanders moved within one win of advancing to the Eastern Conference finals with a 3- 2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday night from the Eastern Conference hub in Toronto.
Brock Nelson scored twice, both set up by Josh Bailey, and the Islanders gained a 3- 1 lead of the best- of- seven secondround series with Game 5 set for Tuesday night. New York is seeking to make its first conference finals appearance since 1993, when the Islanders lost to Montreal to six games.
Backup goalie Thomas Greiss stopped 36 shots in making his first start of the playoffs in a game both teams rested their starters while playing on consecutive nights.
Playing in place of Semyon Varlamov, it was Greiss’ first start since a 3- 2 overtime loss to Carolina on March 7, and second appearance this postseason.
Sean Couturier and Ivan Provorov scored for the East’s top- seeded Flyers, who were coming off a 3- 1 loss on Saturday. Philadelphia lost consecutive games for the first time since an 0- 3- 1 skid from Dec. 31- Jan. 7.
Other game
Stars 5, Avalanche 4: Radek Faksa had a goal and two assists, Roope Hintz scored the last of three power- play goals by Dallas to take a 3- 1 series lead in the Western Conference semifinal series from the NHL’s hub in Edmonton, Alberta. The Stars led 3- 0 in the first period before Colorado had its first shot on goal.