Islanders Extended Win Streak To Six Games Over Bruins
The Islanders extended their win-streak to six games with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Boston Bruins. The New York Islanders remained in first place after Tuesday’s win at Nassau Coliseum.
Overview
The first period started out with both teams trading scoring chances, but neither team converting. Eventually, Jordan Eberle received a great pass from Anders Lee on a 2-on-1 but rang it off the pipe. Nick Ritchie of the Bruins also rang the puck off the pipe later in the frame. Lee took a tripping penalty with 1:11 left in the period and the resulting power-play featured David Pastrnak’s 11th goal of the season.
The second period started out with an early tripping penalty to Charlie Coyle and put the Islanders on the power-play. However, the Islanders failed to score on their first extra-man opportunity of the game, only mustering one shot. Oliver Wahlstrom then tooka boarding penalty halfway through the period.
There were scoring chances galore, but thanks to an amazing stick save by Semyon Varlamov, the Bruins skated away without a goal. Then, chaos ensued after a Wahlstrom hit on Connor Clifton. Brad Marchand jumped Wahlstrom and started hammering away on the 20-year-old. Marchand got a four-minute penalty for roughing and Wahlstrom got two for boarding. The Islanders scored on the ensuing power-play from Brock Nelson, giving him his 10th goal on the season. The period contained more scrappiness, with Marchand mixing it up with Leo Komarov.
The third period was very different compared to the first two. Both teams traded shots and scoring opportunities but the two goalies held strong. The period ended with a hard fought point for both teams. The Islanders entered overtime tied 1-1 and left overtime 1-1. Overtime was an intense battle, with the Islanders getting multiple 2-on-1s but they simply could not end it. Boston had a 3-on-1 but an outstanding poke by Ryan Pulock kept the game tied. Marchand got a breakaway and almost ended it but hit the crossbar. The Islanders eventually came away with two points after Jordan Eberle and Anthony Beauvillier scored two beautiful goals in the shootout.
Takeaways
The Islanders won this game on what has made them successful ever since Barry Trotz took over: defense. Every line bought into the system again and held the Bruins to one goal. They kept the majority of the shots to the outside and limited high scoring opportunities. This was a prime example of Islanders hockey.
The Islanders are legit. They have now beaten the Bruins four times this season in four games. They only amassed one win the two seasons prior to 2021 and have only allowed five goals against the Bruins in their four wins.
The Islanders have yet to lose at home in regulation. They have a 13-2-2 record in the last 17 games and are 11-0-2. The Islanders have risen from second-to-last place to first place during this incredible run. Win streaks like these will carry the Islanders into the playoffs, similar to last season where the Islanders went on a 17-game-point streak.
What’s Next?
The New York Islanders will look to extend their win-streak to seven games when they play the New Jersey Devils Thursday, March 11 at Nassau Coliseum with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. Fans will be in the building, making Tuesday the last game at Coliseum without fans!
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.
