New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29) battles for the puck with Boston Bruins right wing Craig Smith during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
(Photo Credit: AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

By Mike Cratty | Follow me on Twitter @Mike_Cratty

Boston’s Lineup

Forwards

Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak

Ritchie – Krejci – Studnicka

Frederic – Coyle – Smith

Bjork – Kuraly – Wagner

Defense

Grzelcyk – McAvoy

Zboril – Clifton

Tinordi – Vaakanainen

Goalies

Halak

Vladar

New York’s Lineup

Forwards

Lee – Barzal – Eberle

Beauvillier – Nelson – Bailey

Komarov – Pageau – Wahlstrom

Martin – Cizikas – Clutterbuck

Defense

Pelech – Pulock

Leddy – Mayfield

Greene – Dobson

Goalies

Varlamov

Sorokin

First Period

Not the most ideal start for the Bruins against the red hot Islanders (7-0-1 in their previous eight games), but not bad enough to the point of allowing an early goal. That didn’t stop Jordan Eberle from trying, though.

A series of good shifts for the Bruins following not too long after some good offensive zone time for the Islanders settled any qualms that could have been had. Not much tension between the two teams, just good pace.

Anders Lee went off for tripping with 1:11 remaining in the period, taking the game’s first penalty. David Pastrnak broke the stalemate on a shot from the point with 27.7 seconds remaining in the period. Pastrnak’s 11th goal of the season was assisted by Brad Marchand (16) and Matt Grzelcyk (5).

With this goal, Pastrnak broke the team’s longest power play drought since February of 2018 and tallied the 400th point of his career. Additionally, Marchand’s assist was his 674th career point, tying him with Ken Hodge for ninth place on the Bruins’ all-time scoring list.

After being shutout 1-0 by the New Jersey Devils two days prior, a late power play goal against an Islanders team that you’ve struggled against has to feel good. Shots on goal in the period were 12 to 8 in favor of the Bruins.

Score: 1-0 Boston

Second Period

Charlie Coyle went off for a tripping 2:51 into the period. Fortunately, the Islanders couldn’t convert on their first man advantage of the game, unlike the Bruins.

Oliver Wahlstrom took a boarding penalty with 9:16 remaining in the period. Despite some solid chances for the Bruins, they couldn’t extend their lead to two on the power play. It was especially tough for David Krejci, who has been snakebitten beyond belief so far this season.

Connor Clifton found himself on the receiving end of an awkward hit from Wahlstrom that didn’t please Marchand. So, Marchand immediately took matters into his own hands against Wahlstrom as a result. Marchand went off for roughing, joined by Craig Smith to serve the double minor, and Wahlstrom went off for boarding with 5:28 remaining in the period.

With 14 seconds remaining on the man advantage, Brock Nelson played spoiler to the shutout bid that Jaroslav Halak, tying the game at one. Marchand got tangled up with Leo Komarov around center ice not too long after in delayed response to the altercation with Wahlstrom.

Shots on goal in the period were exactly the same as the first, 12 to 8 in favor of the Bruins, bringing the total to 24 to 16 in their favor. One of the best moments of the night came in between periods.

Score: 1-1

Third Period

The third period was a grudge match for the go-ahead goal for a while. Not a lot was connecting offensively for either team. Through the first 15 minutes of the period, there were only seven combined shots on goal – two for the Bruins and five for the Islanders.

From behind the net, Krejci found Jack Studnicka for a prime go-ahead chance in the final minute, but Semyon Varlamov said no. In a period in which they only had four shots on goal to nine for the Islanders, getting a point at minimum out of this game is good for the Bruins. The final shots on goal through regulation were 28 to 25 in their favor.

Score: 1-1

Overtime

The Bruins dominated the first half of overtime, until Anthony Beauvillier nearly ended it on a 2-on-1 backhand opportunity. There was no shortage of high danger chances and fun throughout. Shots in overtime were five to two, bringing the total to 33 to 27 in favor of the Bruins.

Shootout

Round One

Jordan Eberle: Goal

David Pastrnak: Goal

Round Two

Mathew Barzal: Miss

Charlie Coyle: Miss

Round Three

Anthony Beauvillier: Goal

Brad Marchand: Miss

Marchand was so close to keeping the shootout alive, but Varlamov made a key save, joining the others that he made throughout the game. The Bruins just can’t figure the Islanders out this season.

Overall they played a solid game, but a lackluster third period was the crux in what was a tie game at the time. Halak played pretty well and made 26 saves, but the Bruins come up short in this one. The loss puts them at 13-6-4 on the season.

Final Score: 2-1 New York