New York Islanders Look To Stay Hot Against Boston Bruins
The New York Islanders will look to improve their winning streak to six games when they battle the third-place Boston Bruins at Nassau Coliseum on Tuesday. The Islanders last played the Bruins Feb. 25, where they thrashed Boston 7-2.
Top Storylines:
Islanders Have Dominated The Bruins
The Bruins have not won a game, let alone record a point, against the Islanders this season. The Islanders have outscored the Bruins 12-4 over three games. The Islanders have not only been limiting the scoring, but have blown away the Bruins. 12 goals over three games is amazing for any team.
Pageau Torches Bruins
Jean-Gabriel Pageau has scored in three straight games against the Bruins, including a two-goal game on Feb. 13. Pageau has torched them by scoring from rebounds, shorthanded opportunities, breakaways and an amazing baseball swing goal. Pageau will be a key player if the Islanders want to come out on top.
Trent Frederic
Trent Frederic has certainly made his impact on the NHL early into his career. He has already fought big name players such as Brendan Lemieux and Tom Wilson, who he has fought twice. He will get under players’ skin for a long time. Frederic is destined to make a name for himself and there is a particular enforcer on the Islanders that would really put him to the test, Matt Martin. Expect for them to tussle a little this game.
All Four Lines Contributing
For some of the first times since the days of Al Arbour and four straight Stanley Cups, the Islanders finally have depth scoring. The Islanders are the only team to have five players with nine or more goals. It seems like every line puts up a point per game. You have the usual contributors like Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson and the rest of the top-six, but the bottom-six has been keeping up as well. Pageau has been perfectly complemented by the sniping youngster Oliver Wahlstrom and the gritty Michael Dal Colle. Even the fourth line has been producing, with Matt Martin scoring two goals against the Sabres last week.
Battle For The Division
This will be a tough game for the boys in blue and orange. The Bruins will be coming out hard against the Islanders after a loss against the Devils that kept them at third place behind Washington and New York. In order for the Islanders to secure their spot at the top of the standings, they need to continue beating teams like the Sabres, but also beat the big boys in the division like the Bruins.
Dominance at Home
They call it Fort Neverlose for a reason. The Islanders have yet to record a loss in regulation at home this season. So far the Islanders have a +24 goal differential at home. It is safe to say if the Islanders want to remain a top team in the division and be a contender, it would help to continue winning at home.
Bruins First Line
The Bruins have scored 63 goals this season and 31 have come from their top-line. In order for the Islanders to win this game, they need to limit the first line’s scoring opportunity. If Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak can be held in check, then it is more likely than not that the Islanders will win this game due to the lack of scoring depth by the Bruins.
Predictions:
This game will go a long way in securing a playoff spot in the MassMutual East Division. Expect for this to be very physical. The Bruins will try to speed the game up and play more open to fit their style. They will try and score early to get the Islanders out of their system.
The Islanders will try to maintain the same game plan as usual, clogging up the neutral zone and keeping shots to the outside for easy saves for Semyon Varlamov or Ilya Sorokin. Expect to see a lot of chip-and-chase by the Islanders, as they will not want to give the Bruins any momentum or odd-man rushes off turnovers in the neutral zone.
Barry Trotz will most likely stick with the same lineup as last game against the Sabres, considering the team is on a five-game win streak. This is bold, but although Sorokin has not started that much this season, I expect him to make his second start in a row after another solid performance. He has also won his last four games with a season goals against average of 2.14. Varlamov will finally get extended rest.
Where To Watch
The New Islanders and Boston Bruins will be on MSG+ or if you are in New England, NESN. As always you can watch on the MSG GO app or NHL.TV. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. EST at the Nassau Coliseum.
Hi, my name is Jack Kobil. I am currently attending Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington DC. I am a huge Islanders fan and I love to share my passion for this team.
