BC in the NHL Playoffs: Orpik-less Pens Win; Schneider-less Canucks Fall

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup playoffs are well underway, and at least a few former Boston College Eagles hockey players are in a good spot at the opening of business today.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, home to Brooks Orpik (and potentially a future home to Brian Dumoulin), defeated the New York Islanders in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal, 5-0. Orpik was a scratch from this game due to a lower body injury, but his team takes the series lead nevertheless.

Former Eagle Marty Reasoner was on the losing side of the effort, but unfortunately for him, the only news he made was in his penalties: he took three of them, including a 10-minute misconduct and a five-minute major late in the third period.

The Islanders will probably not be long for that series if the first game is any indication, though it would hardly be news that a 1-seed might dispose of an 8-seed, especially when the 8-seed has no recent playoff experience.

In the Western Conference quarterfinals, the San Jose Sharks defeated the Vancouver Canucks, 3-1, up in Vancouver. Roberto Luongo, not former Eagle Cory Schneider, started in goal for the Canucks. Schneider is injured, and though some believed he’d be able to go for Game 1, he did not. He has been the starting goalie for Vancouver in this lockout-shortened season, and they’ll certainly want him back soon if they plan to make a run. Of course, getting out of the first round will be their immediate objective.

Ex-Eagle Andrew Alberts is also on the Canucks and he did play on Wednesday night: 21 shifts in about twelve and a quarter minutes of ice time, including over a minute and a half on the penalty kill.