The Penguins have some time to heal after their regular season ended with Saturday’s 1-0 win over Buffalo, a win that clinched first place in the NHL East, with a helping hand from the Flyers. Philadelphia lost Saturday to Washington, but by forcing the game to overtime, the Flyers ensured that Pittsburgh wins the title and also secures home ice advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs, if they can make the second round.
The Islanders play at Boston tonight, with third place on the line in the NHL East. New York trails the Bruins by one point in the NHL East. The Penguins have clinched the top seed and will play whichever team finishes fourth. The Bruins, who lost some games due to covid, will play the Capitals tomorrow night in the season finale. When the playoffs begin, Washington will play whichever team finished third in the East.
With postseason rosters expanded and taxi squads deactivated, the Penguins yesterday transitioned defenseman Juuso Riikola and Yannick Weber, along with goaltender Emil Larmi, to the active roster. Goaltenders Maxime Lagace and Alex D’Orio will remain with the team as well after having been recalled for Saturday’s game against Buffalo, in which Lagace pitched a shutout in place of Tristan Jarry, who had an undisclosed injury.
The Pens also sent defenseman Josh Maniscalco from the taxi squad to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
