Islanders excited about playing to growing crowds
Casey Cizikas #53 of the New York Islanders hugs Josh Bailey #12 after Bailey's game winning goal during the second overtime period in Game Five of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 24, 2021 in Pittsburgh. Credit: Getty Images/Emilee Chinn
Attendance for the Bruins’ 5-2 win in Game 1 at TD Garden was expanded to close to 17,400, nearly the building’s full capacity of 17,850. The Bruins had hosted 4,565 fans for Games 3 and 4 of their five-game win over the Capitals in the first round.
"I get excited for it," Islanders center Casey Cizikas said. "As a hockey player, going into another team’s building and the crowd is roaring and they’re going, it gets you amped, as well."
It was announced on Friday that Coliseum capacity will be expanded to 12,000 when the series shifts back to Long Island on Thursday night by increasing the number of vaccinated sections. Only five sections will be reserved for non-vaccinated fans.
The Islanders had 9,000 in their building for Wednesday’s series-clinching 5-3 win over the Penguins in Game 6 of that first-round series. The Coliseum hosted 6,800 for Games 3 and 4 of that series.
Schedule announced
The NHL finally announced the full schedule for the Islanders-Bruins series.
Game 2’s 7:30 p.m. faceoff on Monday had already been announced. Game 3 at the Coliseum will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Game 4 will be Saturday at 7:15 p.m. on Ch. 4 following the Belmont Stakes.
Games 5, 6, 7, if necessary, will be June 7, 9, 11, with times and television outlets to be determined.
Those pesky players
Coach Barry Trotz was asked if pesky Leo Komarov could be an X-factor in the series, given his run-ins with Bruins agitator Brad Marchand over the years (Marchand twice kiss/licked Komarov’s face when he was with the Maple Leafs).
"I think both teams have a couple of guys that get under people’s skin," Trotz said. "I don’t know if you can single out Marchy or Leo. That’s the way they play. That’s their DNA. As a coach, you love those players. You hate them when they’re on the other side."
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
