(Photo Credits: Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88
The last time these two teams met, the Bruins lost in a shootout on home ice, 3-2. This time, however, Boston turned the tide and edged out the Islanders on their home ice, winning 3-2 in overtime.
GAME BREAKDOWN
Boston would open up the period right out of the gates that had David Pastrnak being denied in front of the Isles net, but things would change quickly. In a match-up against the league’s top two defensive teams, the New York Islanders struck first as Scott Mayfield scored his fifth of the season, making it 1-0. Boston battled in their end forcing Tuukka Rask to squeeze out as many saves as the Isles continued to have great scoring chances.
New York had great momentum in the first as they took advantage of the Bruins’ defensive breakdowns. The Isles drew a penalty on a Charlie McAvoy hooking but was unable to capitalize. Boston would have a hard time coming out of their own zone and connecting with plays as they were out-chanced by the Islanders.
END OF PERIOD: BOS- 0 , NYI- 1
SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS- 5, NYI- 14
The second period would see New York continue their ice dominance as the Bruins played catch-up. New York had some anxious moments as the B’s missed a scoring chance on a wide-open net. Boston saw a shift in the game as Jake DeBrusk scored off a wrist shot at 8:33, tying it 1-1. The Isles were trying to get the momentum back on their end as they had a potential two-on-one chance, however, McAvoy would get a stick on the play.
Boston drew a penalty in the last five minutes of the period and saw a missed opportunity to take lead after Pastrnak was denied on a wrap-around. Brad Marchand would shoot outside the dot, however, the Isles goaltender Semyon Varlamov shut it down. In a back-and-forth effort, the last few moments of the second period saw no additional score from either team.
END OF PERIOD: BOS- 1, NYI- 1
SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS- 16, NYI- 25
Matt Grzelcyk would not return to the game due to a lower-body injury. Boston was able to connect as they found themselves playing more down the Isles zone in the final period. Not to be outdone, New York would charge to the net, forcing Rask to yet again make multiple saves, keeping the game within reach. Boston’s John Moore would net his second goal of the season, scoring off a slap shot. The Bruins would lead for the first time tonight, 2-1.
(Photo Credits: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
At 9:33 in the third, the Islanders’ Matt Barzal would nudge his 17th of the season in-between the pads of Tuukka Rask, tying the game 2-2. Both teams had tough turnovers down their end with missed scoring chances. With six minutes left, the Bruins placed tremendous pressure that saw multiple deflections, but no score.
In between the commercial break, David Pastrnak would head down to the dressing room with the team’s trainer but returned to the ice. Despite efforts on either end, the game would go to overtime.
The Bruins would go on the power-play as Brad Marchand drew a tripping penalty and Patrice Bergeron would send the puck in the back of the net, scoring his 19th of the season. Boston would win their third straight with the game series even at one win a piece against the Islanders.
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