The Pittsburgh Penguins sweeping the New York Islanders was considered a guarantee. The Penguins shut out the team in Game 1, but the Islanders pulled off a shocking upset, getting a key victory in Game 2. A game that saw the highly anticipated return of captain Sidney Crosby, ended in a rally from the Islanders to tie the series at 1-1.
Crosby was back on the ice and it was clear that he had not missed a beat despite not playing since March 30. The captain had been recovering from a broken jaw and had finally received medical clearance to play for Game 2. It was clear in the first eight minutes of the game the Crosby was going to be just fine. He knocked in two goals right away to help give the Penguins a 3-1 lead in the first period. However, that was not enough to stop a late game surge from the Islanders. They scored three unanswered goals to win 4-3.
"Definitely a little bit of rust, but there's not a lot of time, so we've got to find a way to create things out there and be better," Crosby said post-game.
As things start to heat up in the Eastern Conference, the Western Conference is seeing a few team gain an early lead. The Vancouver Canucks are continuing with their postseason struggles. A game that saw the Canucks playing some of their best hockey, it was not enough to overcome the San Jose Sharks who won in overtime and now have a 2-0 lead in the series.
The series has come down to goaltending, something the Canucks are struggling with. The Sharks only outshot Vancouver 33-31, but it Antti Niemi that got the better of the team. Luongo was back in the net for the Canucks as Cory Schneider remains out with an undisclosed injury. The starting goalie did participate in morning skate, but it is still uncertain whether he will travel with the team as the series heads to San Jose.
The Sharks got the best of Vancouver as the game went into overtime. Raffi Torres scored on a 2-on-1 to give the team the win. San Jose joins the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis as teams to take an early 2-0 series lead in the playoffs.
