San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
ISLES BOUND FOR EASTERN FINALS
Thomas Greiss stopped 16 shots and the New York Islanders advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1993, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-0 in Game 7 of the second-round series Saturday night at Toronto.
The Islanders advanced to face the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Brock Nelson had a goal and two assists, and defensemen Scott Mayfield and Andy Greene scored 3:46 apart in the first period. Anthony Beauvillier had an empty-netter with 6:18 left and New York bounced back after failing to close out the series in losing the previous two games in overtime.
Greiss posted his first career playoff shutout in his first Game 7. He was making his third appearance of the series, and second start, in place of Semyon Varlamov, who allowed nine goals on 63 shots in losing the past two games in overtime, including a 5-4 double-overtime loss in Game 6.
“It’s awesome. It’s the guys in the room. We all compete for each other. It’s a great achievement for the whole team, for fans. I’m happy to help,” Greiss said. “It was an unreal game. It was the best defensive game I’ve seen the team play.”
Coach Barry Trotz said he went with Greiss because he was fresh, and felt Varlamov needed a break. In crediting Greiss, Trotz was impressed by the focus his entire team showed.
“We didn’t get small by the moment, we got big by the moment,” Trotz said. “I
liked the fact that we recognized when we’re at our best. And when we’re at our best, there’s a real sharp focus.”
Greiss picked up the New York’s final two wins of the series, after a 26-save outing in a 3-2 win in Game 4.
The Islanders face a short turnaround in having to travel to Edmonton, Alberta, to face the well-rested Tampa Bay Lightning in a conference final series that opens Monday. The Lightning have been off since a 3-2 double-overtime win over Boston in Game 5 on Monday.
It’s the third meeting between the two teams, with Tampa Bay winning the previous two in five games, including a second-round series in 2016.
The Flyers ran out of gas in a game they fell behind 3-0, which led to coach Alain Vigneault pulling Carter Hart for an extra attacker with seven minutes remaining. Hart stopped 22 shots.
Vegas’ Reaves suspended
Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves will miss the opener of Western Conference final against Dallas after the NHL suspended him a game for an illegal check to the head of Vancouver’s Tyler Motte.
Reaves hit Motte in the jaw with a check late in the second period of Game 7 on Friday night and was penalized and ejected. The league suspended him Saturday for Game 1 after a hit it considered avoidable but not intentional.