Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored, and Semyon Varlamov made 27 saves for the New York Islanders in a 2-1 win against the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Saturday.
It was the first time the Islanders won with Pageau in the lineup; they were 0-3-4 in their final seven regular-season games after he was acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 24. The NHL season was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
Anthony Beauvillier also scored for New York, the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference.
“I really think that that little break gave me a chance to know a little more of the system, getting to know the guys more,” said Pageau, who was 8-for-10 on face-offs. “I feel very lucky to be part of this family. I really feel that this is a brotherhood, and to be part of it, I feel very lucky.”
The Guy Report 