By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88
For the second time in a row, the Bruins and Islanders would head into overtime in a tightly played contest as Boston wins 2-1. The story of the night for both teams was the outstanding goaltending on either end that kept this game a low-scoring match-up.
GAME BREAKDOWN
Some early bad turnovers from the Bruins as the first period started. Boston would have some early good looks while Tuukka Rask was forced to make some close saves. With some great back-checking from linemate Taylor Hall, Craig Smith would get the B’s on the board as he wristed one in past Semyon Varlamov. Hall and Matt Grzelcyk were credited with the assists. Rask was able to shut down an Islanders breakaway with a huge save.
The Isles continued to push towards the Bruins zone, however, Boston’s defense was able to keep the Islanders at bay. Unfortunately, Brad Marchand was sent to the penalty box for hi-sticking against Travis Zajac. The boys in black and gold were able to limit the Isles during the power play. Rask and the defense continued to block any scoring chances from their opponent. Boston would close out a good first period with a 1-0 lead.
END OF FIRST: BOS-1, NYI-0
SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-5, NYI-7
With the Islanders threatening to even the score, Boston had no issues using bodies to block shots. After some huge hits from both sides, a frustrated David Pastrnak was called for slashing Ryan Pulock. With a tenacious Islanders team coming full force towards the Bruins net, Rask was able to control the puck. No score during the man advantage. Varlamov blocked a potential David Krejci goal as Taylor Hall fed the puck to Krejci across the ice. Both teams closed the period with no additional goals in an anxiety-inducing game.
END OF SECOND: BOS-1, NYI-0
SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-13, NYI-8
Boston’s offensive did not let up as the third period opened up. For the first time in this game, the Bruins would be on the man advantage as Andy Greene was called for hi-sticking against Charlie Coyle. No goal for Boston despite pressure on the Islanders net. Brandon Carlo (who has a history of concussions) was hit hard as his face bounced off the glass. He was helped off the ice and did not return to the game. The Bruins had multiple near-miss chances but were unable to get the puck past Varlamov. Boston would get on the power play as Josh Bailey was called for tripping Charlie McAvoy. Lots of chances but no goal for the B’s.
With a little over five minutes left in the period, the Islanders would tie the game as Mathew Barzal whacked the puck underneath Rask. The netminder would be forced to make another huge save on an Islanders breakaway attempt. The Bruins would be down a player as Sean Kuraly was called for cross-checking against Kyle Palmieri. No goal as the game goes into overtime.
END OF REGULATION SCORE: BOS-1, NYI-1
TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-39, NYI-24
OVERTIME
A bad turnover down in the Bruins zone almost saw the Islanders score, however, Rask was able to stop and control the rebound. After a spectacular showing from both goalies, Brad Marchand would wrist a shot from a tough angle, scoring the overtime winner, winning 2-1. The Bruins lead the series 2-1. With the win, Head Coach Bruce Cassidy is now second on the franchise’s all-time playoff wins list (behind former coach Claude Julien).
END OF OT SCORE : BOS-2, NYI-1
TOTAL SHOTS: BOS-41, NYI-29
NEXT GAME: Saturday, June 5th with puck drop 7:15 PM, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, NBC
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