PITTSBURGH — Think you’re going to get under Robin Lehner’s skin? Well, he has an answer for that.
After the goalie backstopped his Islanders to a 3-1 win over the Penguins in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series Tuesday night, completing the sweep, Lehner addressed a second-period kerfuffle he had with fellow Swede Patric Hornqvist.
As Hornqvist crashed the net, Lehner gave him a little slash with his stick. Hornqvist responded with a quick cross-check that was met with another slash from Lehner. It then looked like Hornqvist went to drop his gloves as if he were trying to fight a goalie, but it was broken up before things could escalate.
“It wouldn’t have crossed the line. I’m not dropping the gloves in the middle of the game,” Lehner said. “They’re frustrated. There’s only so much I can take too. I’m going to try to be a little more disciplined next time.
“It just fires me up and makes me better. So whatever team wants to do that to me, it just wakes me up.”
Lehner was terrific all series, making 32 saves in Game 4 to finish with six goals allowed on 136 shots, good for a .956 save percentage.
Winger Cal Clutterbuck and defenseman Johnny Boychuk both left the game late in the second period and didn’t return. There was no immediate update on their status, but the extended time before the second round starts should be beneficial.
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“Hopefully we’ll have something [Wednesday] or the next day for you,” coach Barry Trotz said.
Clutterbuck was seen leaving the arena, walking very slowly but without any sort of cast or crutch.
Second-year center Mat Barzal collected one more assist, having five in the series and at least one in each game. The 21-year-old reigning Calder Trophy winner was the only regular to take the ice with the extras on Tuesday morning, but there was a simple explanation why from Trotz.
“He’s young,” Trotz said. “He’s just anxious.”
Defenseman Scott Mayfield missed practice Monday, but made one of the biggest plays of the season when he blocked a shot with his right leg with 13:40 remaining in regulation to keep his team’s 2-1 lead.
The Penguins held the lead in the series for a total of 4:51 of game time. Their net was empty for 5:55.