James O'Brien

I am a contributing editor/writer/troublemaker for NBC's Pro Hockey Talk blog.

Lou Lamoriello’s GM of the Year handiwork all over Islanders’ playoff run

By James O'BrienSep 13, 2020, 12:13 PM EDT

[NBC 2020 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF HUB]

Recent bets paying off … so far

Consider trade deadline(-ish) additions in Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Andy Greene.

Over time, it’s plausible that Pageau’s immediate extension (six years, $30M, with no-trade clauses) could really bite the Islanders, and they gave up a bucket of picks to snare JGP from the Senators. Handing over a second-round pick also felt a little steep to rent Greene.

But, again, the immediate results have been impressive.

Pageau ranks first on the Islanders in even-strength goals (eight, all of his goals), and sixth on the team with 11 playoff points. His defensive play looks great if you go old-school with your stats (+12), and also if you dig deeper (on the ice for 46 high-danger for and just 23 against at even-strength, according to Natural Stat Trick).

You’re not going to Greene for points (two goals, two assists in 18 playoff games), but the veteran has come in handy in what he’s billed as: a quality “defensive defenseman.” Greene’s been on the ice for 10 even-strength goals for versus seven against, along with 65 high-danger chances for versus 53 against.

Trotz, other bets paying off

Of course, a GM’s work extends beyond trade deadline moves, and even “GM of the Year” considerations go back.

Far and away, the most important decision Lamoriello made was lining up the money to nab Barry Trotz. There really isn’t a better fit for the sort of players Lamoriello seeks than a coach like Trotz, who has been instrumental in making the post-John Tavares era shockingly fruitful. That Trotz hire came before 2019-20, of course, but its impact couldn’t have been lost on voters.

Even some of the bolder moves look decent-to-good.

It was a bit puzzling that the Islanders didn’t seem to pursue re-signing Robin Lehner all that aggressively, especially when they turned around and gave an older, more recently up-and-down goalie a significant contract when they inked Semyon Varlamov. For the most part, that’s worked out well for the Islanders, even if it’s not impossible to imagine Lehner producing similar results.

Bottom line: the Islanders keep defying expectations ever since Lamoriello and Trotz came to town, and now they’re three wins from reaching the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.

Challenges ahead for Lamoriello, Islanders

But, again, the “of the year” part could be key.

Via Cap Friendly, the Islanders have a bit less than $9M in cap space heading into 2020-21. Frankly, that could conceivably be an appropriate salary for Mathew Barzal by himself, let alone fellow RFAs Ryan Pulock and Devon Toews.

Naturally, Lamoriello will come up with something — yet it sure seems like things will be snug for the Islanders for some time.

At the moment, sticking with this doesn’t sound bad at all for the Islanders. That can change quickly in hockey, however, so we’ll see if this “GM of the Year” ends up boxing his team into a corner.

That’s for later, though. For now, we get to see the positive sides of that handiwork, continuing with Islanders – Lightning Game 4.

No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. No. 6 New York Islanders (TB leads 2-1)

Series preview
Lightning 8, Islanders 2. (recap)
Lightning 2, Islanders 1 (recap)
Islanders 5, Lightning 3 (recap)
Game 4: Sunday, Sept. 13, 3 p.m. ET – NBC (livestream)
Game 5: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 8 p.m. ET – NBCSN
*Game 6: Thursday, Sept. 17, 8 p.m. ET – NBCSN
*Game 7: Saturday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. ET – NBC

*if necessary

MORE STANLEY CUP COVERAGE:
• Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Final schedule

—

James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.

The Wraparound: Islanders aim to tie series with Lightning in Game 4

By James O'BrienSep 13, 2020, 9:23 AM EDT

1 Comment

The Wraparound is your daily look at the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. We’ll break down Sunday’s NHL playoff game with the all-important television and live streaming information included.

• Check out the NHL Bubble Wrap for details on Saturday’s playoff game.

• Want to know when the 2020 NHL Draft will take place, and when the free agent frenzy will begin? The NHL announced those official dates.

• Lou Lamoriello won the 2020 GM of the Year Award. As funky as that award can be, the Islanders continue to win, and win their way.

• The Hurricanes traded defenseman Joel Edmundson‘s rights to the Canadiens.

SUNDAY’S NHL PLAYOFF GAME

Game 4: Islanders vs. Lightning (TB leads 2-1) – 3 p.m. ET, NBC (livestream)

After Game 2 slipped through their fingers with Nikita Kucherov‘s goal in the dying seconds, the Islanders faced another nightmare scenario in Game 3. Despite carrying a 3-1 lead into the third period, two Lightning goals made it a 3-3 tie in Game 3, and left Barry Trotz shaking his head in disgust and disbelief.

But, as they’ve done many times during this impressive playoff run, the Islanders answered that challenge.

Thanks to a splendid pass by Anthony Beauvillier and a tricky shot by Brock Nelson, the Isles restored their lead with a 4-3 goal, and then Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored an empty-netter (with some nasty chippiness, including from Kucherov, to follow).

The Islanders went from facing a 3-0 deficit to dealing with a much more manageable 2-1 series lead for Tampa Bay.

[NBC 2020 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF HUB]

Lightning coach Jon Cooper didn’t parse words after what was clearly a frustrating loss.

“We were our own worst enemy,” Cooper said. “There’s so many good things that our team did, but it’s such a tough league to win in, and we handed that one to them. That was gift wrapped.”

It’s unclear if Brayden Point will return for Game 4, as he left Game 2 early and didn’t play in Game 3. After serving a one-game suspension, Alex Killorn should give the Bolts a much-needed boost, but they’re continuing to need to dig deep during the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

So far this postseason, the Lightning are 3-0 after a loss. We’ll either see them match the Stars’ 3-1 series lead in the 2020 Western Conference Final, or see this series go tied 2-2 after Game 4.

[Full NHL Conference Finals schedule]

MONDAY’S NHL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Game 5: Golden Knights vs. Stars (DAL leads 3-1) – 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN (livestream)

Anton Khudobin finally getting well-deserved credit during Stars playoff run

By James O'BrienSep 12, 2020, 12:57 PM EDT

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With Ben Bishop on the shelf, the Dallas Stars could have cratered, but instead Anton Khudobin has been a revelation. And maybe it’s a rise we should have seen coming.

Even if Khudobin takes a step back as the Stars face the Golden Knights in Game 4 on Saturday (8 p.m. ET – NBC – livestream), it’s already been an impressive journey. And there’s plenty of evidence that his strong play is no fluke.

Anton Khudobin has been huge for Dallas Stars — and not just during the playoffs

Following the Stars’ exciting Game 3 overtime win against the Golden Knights, everyone from coach Rick Bowness to captain Jamie Benn praised Khudobin’s play. Benn called Khudobin’s play “unreal.”

“We don’t get into overtime without him,” Bowness said. “He made some huge saves, especially on the penalty kill after we challenged, and so give him a lot of credit tonight. We don’t win it without his play.”

Frankly, the Stars likely wouldn’t have made it to the NHL playoffs these past two seasons without Khudobin, either.

[NBC 2020 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF HUB]

For those who counted out the Stars when it became clear that Ben Bishop wasn’t healthy, it might be surprising to see Khudobin hold up so well.

But the truth is that Khudobin has been one of the best backup/”platoon” goalies for some time now, joining the likes of Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss. Indeed, with Bishop’s unfortunate tendency to get injured, it’s been appropriate to describe the Stars’ goalie tandem as a “1a/1b” situation for some time now.

In fact, Khudobin’s been outright better at times. That includes the 2019-20 regular season, as Khudobin was tremendous (16-8-4 record, .930 save percentage in 30 games played) while Bishop was quite good (21-16-4, .920 save percentage in 44 GP). While Bishop was better in 2018-19 (.934 save percentage, 46 GP), Khudobin played a huge role in Dallas making the postseason (.923 save percentage, 41 GP).

When you look at career stats, Khudobin’s strong play is even less surprising. Over 218 regular season games, Khudobin sports an impressive .919 career save percentage.

You won’t see many goalies with better career marks than that, but Bishop’s one of them (.921). Of course, it’s also fair to note that Khudobin hasn’t carried a big workload very often during his journeyman NHL career.

So, yes, that’s where this is surprising. Remarkably, the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs mark the first time Khudobin started playoff games. Being that he turned 34 in May, it’s fair to call this an unusual path to such success, but it also points to one of Khudobin’s essential qualities as a battler.

Don’t be surprised if the talented, aggressive Golden Knights make it even more of a battle for Khudobin and the Stars in Game 4 and beyond, but so far Khudobin’s been up to the task.

No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. 3 Dallas Stars (DAL 2-1)

Stars 1, Golden Knights 0 (recap)
Golden Knights 3, Stars 0 (recap)
Stars 3, Golden Knights 2 [OT] (recap)
Game 4: Saturday, Sept. 12, 8 p.m. ET – NBC (livestream)
Game 5: Monday, Sept. 14, 8 p.m. ET – NBCSN (livestream)
*Game 6: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 8 p.m. ET – NBCSN
*Game 7: Friday, Sept. 18, 9 p.m. ET – NBCSN

*if necessary

MORE STANLEY CUP COVERAGE:
• Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Final schedule

—

James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.

The Wraparound: Golden Knights need key players to wake up vs. Stars

By James O'BrienSep 12, 2020, 9:31 AM EDT

1 Comment

The Wraparound is your daily look at the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. We’ll break down Saturday’s NHL playoff game with the all-important television and live streaming information included.

• Check out the NHL Bubble Wrap for details on Friday’s playoff game.

• Want to know when the 2020 NHL Draft will take place, and when the free agent frenzy will begin? The NHL announced those official dates.

• Nathan MacKinnon won the 2020 Lady Byng Trophy. We’ll see if MacKinnon adds any other awards to his trophy case.

• The Penguins traded forward Nick Bjugstad to the Wild. Stemming back to the Jason Zucker trade, the two teams have swapped a lot of assets recently.

SATURDAY’S NHL PLAYOFF GAME

Game 4: Golden Knights vs. Stars (DAL leads 2-1) – 8 p.m. ET, NBC (livestream)

For almost two full periods, Game 3 of Stars – Golden Knights was scoreless. Then Jamie Oleksiak scored an unlikely breakaway goal to end Robin Lehner‘s new Golden Knights record shutout streak at 171:27.

With that late 1-0 goal ending the second period, the twists and turns really ratcheted up in the third.

Shea Theodore got the Golden Knights on the board with a power-play goal, making Game 3 the first time both teams scored against each other. From there, Jamie Benn loomed large, beating Lehner five hole for a 2-1 lead.

In a moment that inspired some controversy, the Golden Knights’ tying goal withstood a goalie interference review. That said, Anton Khudobin was brilliant during the ensuing Vegas power play, and really during Game 3 overall.

After Benn almost scored in the final seconds of regulation, sending a shot that may have shaken up Lehner, Alexander Radulov won it for the Stars just 31 seconds into overtime.

[NBC 2020 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF HUB]

As always, the goalies will be worth watching.

Are both Lehner and Khudobin healthy? Again, Lehner looked shaken up after that Benn attempt, and allowed that Radulov goal on the next shot he faced. Khudobin, meanwhile, seemed banged up while making some high-difficulty saves, especially during that Golden Knights power play after the 2-2 goal.

During multiple spans of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, people have questioned top Dallas Stars scorers. But now might be the time to cast a critical eye on leading Golden Knights — or at least remember just how hard it can be to score during the postseason.

Both Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith are suffering through nine-game goal droughts. Mark Stone just ended a six-game slump of his own, while Max Pacioretty‘s dry spell is at six.

Those players have often come close, but coming up close only matters so much at this level. If the end of the last contest presents a pattern, then expect Game 4 of Stars – Golden Knights to be hard-hitting, and thrilling.

[Full NHL Conference Finals schedule]

SUNDAY’S NHL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Game 4: Islanders vs. Lightning (TB leads 2-1) – 3 p.m. ET, NBC (livestream)

NHL Bubble Wrap: Khudobin bounces back in big way for Stars in Game 3

Getty Images

By James O'BrienSep 11, 2020, 12:28 AM EDT

Game 3: Stars 3, Golden Knights 2 [OT] (DAL leads 2-1)

Game 1 was very much a Stars-style win, while the Golden Knights exerted control over Game 2. In the case of Game 3, it was more of a mix.

Things began as a tight, grinding affair, with the first goal only coming in the dying moments of the second period. On paper, that favored the Stars.

That heightened urgency might have prompted the Golden Knights to up the temp during the third period. Vegas tied it up early in that frame, only to see Jamie Benn score by beating Robin Lehner five-hole. From there, the Golden Knights tied things up on a controversial 2-2 goal that withstood a goalie interference review.

During the ensuing penalty, Anton Khudobin made some very difficult saves to keep Game 3 tied. At a couple points, Khudobin seemed hurt — or at least exhausted. Robin Lehner also ended up looking a little shaken up after making last second saves against Benn to end regulation. To state the obvious, both goalie situations are worth watching as the 2020 Western Conference Final goes forward.

Did some issues hinder Lehner on Alexander Radulov‘s pretty overtime-winning goal? Tough to say, but it’s easy to argue that Radulov scored a beauty. With that, the Stars lead this series once again, this time 2-1.

[NBC 2020 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF HUB]

Three Stars

1. Anton Khudobin, Dallas Stars

It’s pretty tough to knock Khudobin for either of the goals he allowed in Game 3. Heck, you can engage in a lengthy debate about whether or not the second goal should have counted.

Either way, consider this a massive rebound after Khudobin was given the hook in Game 2. Granted, few would’ve put that Stars loss on Khudobin, but Dallas must be thrilled to see the veteran goalie shake off any hint of a setback.

The Golden Knights generated a 40-23 shots on goal advantage versus Dallas, but the Stars won Game 3 in large part because of how sharp Khudobin was. While Vegas scored twice during the third period, they could have run away with the game considering the pressure they managed.

Frankly, the Golden Knights might need to channel more of that third-period energy over a full 60 minutes, as Khudobin isn’t making it easy for them to score.

2. Jamie Benn, Stars

Frankly, Benn deserved Three Stars consideration for the face he made after Lehner stopped him during the last seconds of regulation.

Beyond being that close to ending Game 3 with even more last-minute flair than Nikita Kucherov did for the Lightning, Benn was a dominating presence in this one.

Along with being a physical force, Benn scored a big 2-1 goal against Lehner, and was credited with an assist on Radulov’s OT GWG. Benn ended the night with six SOG, a +2 rating, five hits, and those two points.

3. Alex Radulov, Stars

One cannot help but wonder if the Stars might be wiser to lean more heavily on top players, rather than a seemingly balanced approach. After all, Benn only played 15:22 in Game 3, while Radulov was limited to 15:02, both receiving less ice time than Mattias Janmark (15:51) and Blake Comeau (17:36). All due respect to Janmark and Comeau, but you’d think those numbers would be switched. Then again, if ain’t broke?

Anyway, Radulov scored a beautiful overtime game-winner, and has been quite the X-factor for the Stars. At least when he can get on the ice.

Stars – Golden Knights Game 3 highlights:

A tight Game 3 got really wild once the Golden Knights needed to score. The Stars showed once again they can deal with that sort of thing, as they did often vs. the Avs:

Stars – Golden Knights Game 3 Factoids

Robin Lehner set a new Golden Knights playoff shutout streak record, as Jamie Oleksiak‘s 1-0 goal broke it at 171:27. This is a big bump from Marc-Andre Fleury‘s previous mark of 144:04.
Miro Heiskanen leads the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs — not just playoff defensemen — with 17 assists. Heiskanen ranks third in Stars franchise history in assists for any skater, trailing only Brian Bellows (19) and Mike Modano (18). [via NHL PR]
Radulov sits tied third all-time in Stars franchise history with four game-winning goals during a single postseason. Joe Nieuwendyk holds the record with six from 1999. [Sportsnet Stats]

FRIDAY’S NHL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Game 3: Islanders vs. Lightning (TB leads 2-0) – 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN (livestream)

MORE STANLEY CUP COVERAGE:
• Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Final schedule

—

James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.