There is only one team that has beaten the Boston Bruins in regulation this season and they have done it twice. The New York Islanders defeated the Boston Bruins 4-2 on Hockey Fights Cancer night at the Nassau Coliseum, headlined by the play of Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

Brad Marchand walked it into the slot and ripped it past Semyon Varlamov to open the scoring. On that goal, the Islanders players got caught out on a long shift. Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin were out on the ice for 2:04.

Pageau was the star of the game as he had two goals. He tied the game up at one in the first period. It came off of a great feed from Ryan Pulock in the corner. The Isles crashed the net and were rewarded with a goal. Jordan Eberle took a low slap shot after gaining the zone and gave the Islanders a 2-1 lead. It was a goal that Tuuka Rask would definitely like back as it hit off of his pad and went in. This game showed a noticeable difference that the Islanders are shooting the puck more.

The Islanders controlled most of the second period until Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron tied the game at two off of an odd-man rush with three minutes to go in the frame.

David Pastrnak took a very costly slashing penalty to put the Islanders on the power play. Mathew Barzal scored on a one-timer off of a pretty feed from Anders Lee. That goal would be the eventual game-winner. Mat Barzal now has scored a point in eight straight games, a new personal best for him. The Islanders’ power play has looked much better since their five-day break.

JG Pageau scored his second goal of the game shorthanded in the final five minutes after Leo Komarov sprung him on a breakaway. He now has three goals in his last two games.

Tuuka Rask made a huge stop on a Matt Martin breakaway caused by a turnover. He also made a great save on JG Pageau off of a one-timer. Varlamov also came up with a stop on a breakaway, after Nick Ritchie floated past the Islanders defense. This game was strange as it was filled with tons of turnovers and high-quality scoring chances, some things that these two clubs don’t give up very often. Adam Pelech went to the box for cross-checking about midway through the second period.

Michael Dal Colle was effective on the forecheck throughout this game. It led to a long offensive zone possession for the Islanders, as well as many other great scoring opportunities. The Islanders’ second line of Eberle and Nelson with Dal Colle has been improving every night, as they have gained more chemistry.

The Islanders are now on a six-game point streak and are playing some of their best hockey so far this season. This win over the Bruins is the most complete they have played thus far. New York should be back in action on Monday night as they will take on the Buffalo Sabres, barring any postponements due to COVID-19.

John Smark