Varlamov's Superior Performance and Pageau's Scoring Lead Islanders Over Panthers, Ensuring Panthers' Spot in the Playoffs

Thursday, March 28th, 2024

In an exciting Thursday night match, the New York Islanders clinched a 3-2 win against the Florida Panthers, with Semyon Varlamov making 27 saves and Jean-Gabriel Pageau scoring a critical goal in the second period.

Ryan Pulock lauded Varlamov for his key performances and the stability he brought to the game, highlighting his contribution to the team's win.

The Islanders saw valuable inputs from Mathew Barzal, Casey Cizikas, and Ryan Pulock, breaking away from their recent series of losses.

Head coach Patrick Roy acknowledged the team's strong start and attributed their triumph primarily to Varlamov's exceptional goaltending.

Despite their defeat, the Panthers managed to secure a spot in the playoffs, thanks to a concurrent loss by Detroit against Carolina.

Aleksander Barkov reached a milestone by becoming the first player in the Panthers' history to accumulate 700 points. Contributions from Barkov and Vladimir Tarasenko were notable, and Anthony Stolarz saved 21 shots.

The battle for the Atlantic Division's top seed continues for the Panthers, while the Islanders aim for a wildcard entry in the Eastern Conference.

Aaron Ekblad made a comeback to the Panthers' lineup after recovering from an injury.

Looking ahead, the Islanders are set to play against Tampa Bay on Saturday, and the Panthers will be hosting Detroit.

Related Links

• Florida Panthers News & Updates
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