Stanley Cup Playoffs Buzz: Varlamov likely for Islanders in Game 1

Welcome to the Stanley Cup Playoffs Buzz. The 2021 postseason begins Saturday and NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news, analysis and results.

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New York Islanders

Semyon Varlamov practiced Saturday and will likely be the starting goalie for the Islanders when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 1 of the best-of-7 Stanley Cup First Round on Sunday (Noon ET; NBC, SN, TVAS).
Varlamov sustained "a little strain," according to Islanders coach Barry Trotz, and did not play the third period of their regular-season finale, a 3-2 overtime loss at the Boston Bruins on Monday. He was replaced by Ilya Sorokin.
"[It was important he practiced] not only for me, but for him," Trotz said of Varlamov. "He skated with the group, he skated the day before. We'll see where he is tomorrow. He feels pretty good, but we'll make all the right decisions. If there's any change, we'll make that change. He seemed to get through quite well and feels good, so we're heading to Pittsburgh."
Varlamov was 19-11-4 with a 2.04 goals-against average and .929 save percentage in 36 games (35 starts). He tied Colorado Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer for the NHL lead with seven shutouts.
"He's battled hard all year for us," Islanders forward Jordan Eberle said. "He's a big reason, him and Ilya, of why we're here. It's great to have him back. I think for the most part, it's nice to have that dual threat too. Not a lot of teams in the NHL have that, and we definitely do here." -- Brian Compton

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Minnesota Wild

Zach Parise will be a healthy scratch when the Wild visit the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the best-of-7 Stanley Cup First Round on Sunday (3 p.m. ET; NBC, SN, TVAS).
The forward is the Wild's leading scorer in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) in 40 games. Parise scored 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists) in 45 games this season and was a healthy scratch in three of the past four games. He was scratched four times this season, and five times in his NHL career.
Parise averaged 13:57 in ice time this season, the majority on the fourth line which now consists of forwards Nick Bonino, Nico Sturm and Nick Bjugstad.
"Nothing's changed. We really like the makeup of the Bonino line, and no different than anybody that's not playing," Wild coach Dean Evason said Saturday. "We had to make some decisions, and those were our decisions.
"Just that line, hopefully, it's going to be a factor in games and in series. They are all big, strong, they're all natural centericemen that can take face-offs, they're good down low, and all of them have contributed offensively throughout the season." -- Jessi Pierce

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On Tap

There is one game scheduled for the Stanley Cup First Round on Saturday.
Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals (7:15 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS): It's Game 1 of this best-of-7 first-round series, the fourth time these teams have played each other in a Stanley Cup Playoff series and first since 2012, when the Capitals won the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in seven games. Boston, the No. 3 seed in the MassMutual East Division, was 4-2-2 against Washington, the No. 2 seed, this season. Bruins forward Brad Marchand scored 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in the series. Capitals defenseman Zdeno Chara will become the seventh player in NHL history to play a playoff game at age 44 or older, the first since Jaromir Jagr did so for the Florida Panthers in 2016 at 44. Teams that win Game 1 are 490-222 (68.8 percent) winning a best-of-7 NHL playoff series, including 7-1 in the first round in 2020.

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Playoff matchups

Here is a look at the matchups for the first round. Click here for complete first-round schedule.
Scotia North Division
1. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. 4. Montreal Canadiens
2. Edmonton Oilers vs. 3. Winnipeg Jets
MassMututal East Division
1. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 4. New York Islanders
2. Washington Capitals vs. 3. Boston Bruins
Discover Central Division
1. Carolina Hurricanes vs. 4. Nashville Predators
2. Florida Panthers vs. 3. Tampa Bay Lightning
Honda West Division
1. Colorado Avalanche vs. 4. St. Louis Blues
2. Vegas Golden Knights vs. 3. Minnesota Wild

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Playoff news

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