By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones
The Boston Bruins got back over .500 with a 4-3 shootout victory against the New York Islanders on Tuesday night. For the first time this season, the Bruins have secured wins in four straight contests and five in the past six games. Boston’s record stands at 8-7-0.
First Period
Neither team could establish consistent offensive zone time or generate scoring chances for the game’s first ten minutes. The Islanders did not muster a shot on goal until nearly the 15-minute mark of the period. While the Bruins caused many turnovers in New York’s zone, Boston could not capitalize and bury the game’s opening goal.
The period flew by, as there were no penalties called and few stoppages. The frame took only 25 minutes to complete. Boston’s defensive structure was excellent and stymied the Islanders. There were only ten shots on goal combined, seven of which came from Bruins’ sticks. The score was 0-0 heading into the first intermission.
Second Period
The Islanders struck first when Anthony Duclair fired home an attempt from the middle of the ice above the circles directly off an offensive zone faceoff win. The seeing-eye shot beat Jeremy Swayman, and New York grabbed the 1-0 lead just past the five-minute mark of the frame.
Approaching the halfway point of the contest, chaos ensued. Nikita Zadorov popped Matthew Schaefer behind the cage when the young defenseman was on his knees. The big Bruins defenseman took exception to Schaefer holding onto his stick. The altercation led to an intense five-on-five scrum. Two Islanders took penalties, but Zadorov’s actions warranted a double minor for roughing and an interference penalty.
With the Bruins short-handed after the dust settled, Swayman and the Boston penalty killers kept the puck out of their net. The Bruins then went on the offensive attack.
A significant surge in New York’s zone ended with a fortunate bounce for Boston. Viktor Arvidsson tried to beat Ilya Sorokin in close quarters. The Islanders’ goaltender made the initial save, but the puck deflected in off of New York’s captain, Anders Lee, to tie the game at 1-1.
Soon after Boston secured the equalizer, Morgan Geekie rushed up the ice in the neutral zone. But the forward coughed up the puck with dynamic offensive skaters Matthew Barzal and Bo Horvat on the ice. The two forwards executed a textbook two-on-one, ending with Horvat ripping a shot past Swayman and into the back of the net. The Islanders reclaimed the lead and were up 2-1 late in the period.
But the Bruins were in a prime position to tie the game again heading to the power play. Boston’s man advantage was sharp with their passing and precise decision-making. Charlie McAvoy froze Sorokin before delivering a pristine pass to Pavel Zacha, who had enough time to settle the puck and rip home the game-tying score into a wide-open cage to knot the contest at 2-2.
After a relatively quiet opening 20 minutes, the middle frame was a rollercoaster. And after the wild ride, Boston and New York headed into the second intermission with two goals apiece.
Third Period
After the Bruins generated quality looks on a power play, Horvat came humming into Boston’s zone. He then ripped a shot between the hash marks that beat Swayman to reclaim the lead for the Islanders and pick up his second goal of the night. It was an attempt that the Bruins’ goaltender would want back.
Just past the five-minute mark of the period, Marat Khusnutdinov and Fraser Minten found themselves flanking David Pastrnak. After a relentless, energetic shift, Minten got an attempt off in the slot, creating a rebound. Khusnutdinov made a slick forehand backhand maneuver before sliding the puck into the gaping cage to knot the game at 3-3. It was Boston’s third equalizer of the contest.
After a controversial high-sticking call sent McAvoy to the box, the Bruins would need to kill off a penalty if they wanted to secure at least one point. With a few seconds on the clock, Swayman denied Schaefer on an impressive rush to get the game to overtime.
Overtime/Shootout
In the extra frame, Swayman and Sorokin stood firm between the pipes. Neither team potted the game-winning goal, so Boston headed to the shootout for the first time this season.
After scoring the tying goal in regulation, Khusnutdinov ripped home a rocket on his shootout attempt. The Islanders failed to score on Swayman in their three chances, and Boston grabbed their third extra session win this season.
The victory propelled Boston over the .500 mark. After enduring a six-game losing streak, the Bruins have won five of the last six contests. In a back-and-forth battle on the road, Boston dug deep into its tank and raised its competitive level to grab the coveted two points.
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