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Player Notes

  • Another win in Game 3
    Andersen stopped 29 of 31 shots in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Islanders.

    Advice: After alternating starts with Pyotr Kochetkov late in the regular season, Andersen's now started each of the first three games against the Islanders, posting an excellent .922 save percentage while helping the Canes jump out to a convincing 3-0 series lead. The 34-year-old netminder figures to be back in goal Saturday as Carolina will look for an opening-series sweep in Game 4 on the road. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:57 pm
  • Needed in relief
    Varlamov stopped eight shots after entering in relief of Ilya Sorokin in the second period of Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Hurricanes.

    Advice: After Varlamov dropped the first two games of the series, the Islanders turned to Ilya Sorokin on Thursday in an attempt to change the momentum. However, Sorokin allowed three goals on Carolina's first 14 shots before the Isles turned back to Varlamov midway through the second period. The 35-year-old Varlamov managed to hold the Canes scoreless over the game's final 30:33 minutes, though New York ultimately couldn't find a tying goal, leaving Sorokin with the loss. Varlamov figures to be back between the pipes for Saturday's do-or-die Game 4. Despite the Islanders' struggles thus far in the series, Varlamov's posted a solid .915 save percentage in three postseason appearances. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:37 pm
  • Pulled in the second
    Sorokin allowed three goals on 14 shots before he was replaced by Semyon Varlamov in the second period of Thursday's 3-2 loss to Carolina.

    Advice: Looking to climb out of a 2-0 hole in the series, the Islanders elected to switch things up and turn to Sorokin in net for Game 3. The 28-year-old netminder allowed two goals on the first six shots he faced in the first period and a third tally to Sebastian Aho 7:14 into the second before he was pulled in favor of Varlamov. Sorokin seemed to be the Islanders' unquestioned starter after signing an eight-year extension prior to the season. However, he was outplayed down the stretch by Varlamov, who took over the top goaltending job heading into the playoffs. Sorokin went 25-19-12 this year with a career-low .908 save percentage and 3.01 GAA. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:24 pm
  • In goal for Game 3
    Vasilevskiy will guard the home goal versus the Panthers on Thursday in Game 3, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.

    Advice: Vasilevskiy has lost four games in a row, though the Lightning haven't scored more than twice in any of those contests. The 29-year-old will look for more goal support on home ice in Thursday's contest, as a loss would put Tampa Bay down 3-0 in the series. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 3:34 pm
  • Starting in Game 3
    Bobrovsky will guard the road crease Thursday against Tampa Bay for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, per Alex Baumgartner.

    Advice: Bobrovsky was solid in Game 2 on Tuesday, stopping 21 of 23 shots en route to a 3-2 win. The 35-year-old has played 72 career playoff games, recording a .905 save percentage and 31 total wins. The Lightning will undoubtedly be desperate to avoid falling in to a 3-0 series hole, so they'll likely come out firing Thursday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:40 am
  • Falls to Boston in Game 3
    Samsonov stopped 30 of 33 shots in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Bruins, with Boston's final goal of Game 3 getting scored into an empty net.

    Advice: Jeremy Swayman and Samsonov were both perfect in the first period and still had a 1-1 goaltending duel going headed into the second intermission, but the Bruins pulled away after Jake DeBrusk notched a power-play tally just 67 seconds into the final frame. Samsonov has given up nine goals on 86 shots through the first three games of the playoffs, and with Toronto down 2-1 in the series, he might need to come up big in Game 4 on Saturday to keep his team in the series, Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:23 am
  • Downs Leafs again
    Swayman made 28 saves during Wednesday's Game 3 in a 4-2 win over the Maple Leafs.

    Advice: After a scoreless first period, Swayman got beaten by Matthew Knies in the second frame and Tyler Bertuzzi in the third, but Brad Marchand and the Bruins took control in the final 20 minutes of the contest. Boston has maintained its goalie rotation to begin the playoffs, which could lead to Linus Ullmark being between the pipes for Game 4 on Saturday, but Swayman is making a case to take over the full-time job by going 2-0 and allowing only three goals on 66 shots in his first two postseason outings. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:16 am
  • Travels with team
    Demko (knee) joined the Canucks for their trip to Nashville for Games 3 and 4 despite being labeled week-to-week, Dan Murphy of Sportsnet reports Thursday.

    Advice: Given Demko's week-to-week timeline, his presence on the trip is likely more about being around the team and perhaps helping Casey DeSmith in an off-ice capacity than him potentially returning to action soon. Another update on Demko will likely surface once he's upgraded to day-to-day. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:14 am
  • Yields five goals in loss
    Skinner allowed five goals on 26 shots in Wednesday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Kings in Game 2.

    Advice: Skinner is now 1-1 in the postseason, having allowed nine goals on 63 shots. He's given up at least four goals in three straight games, something he didn't do in the seven outings prior to his recent struggles. The Oilers will likely continue to roll with Skinner in goal, though it could be up to the offense to cover up his mistakes in a first-round series that has not been kind to the goalies so far. The next game is Friday in Los Angeles. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 11:13 pm