Bruins forget how to defend, lose to Islanders
By Willy
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
This is the second of three meetings with the Islanders. In the last game between the two, the Bruins took the Islanders too lightly, losing 3-1 in N.Y.
*Returning tonight is Captain Zdeno Chara.
In Net: Tuukka Rask and Evgeni Nabokov.
Both teams got off to a slow start with pucks bouncing in and out of play.
First on the score board was David Krejci (9) when he picked up Jarome Iginla’s rebound, fired a shot of his own which was saved by Nabokov, gained his own rebound then patiently fired it in.
After 1 period; 1-0 B’s Shots: 13-8 Boston
*Observation: Torey Krug hasn’t looked like himself lately and may be playing injured. He hasn’t scored a goal since Dec. 8th and was a Minus-3 against Ottawa.
The second period started off like the first, slowly. With Bartkowski guilty of Holding, the Islanders would tie the game up on a Power Play goal from Center Frans Neilson.
With Islanders Defenseman Calvin De Haan off for Cross Checking the Bruins make-shift Power Play unit went to work. Patrice Bergeron (10) fired home a pass from fellow Center Ryan Spooner, giving the B’s a lead once again.
Seconds later (25) Captain Zdeno Chara (10) fired a fluttering shot from the point that found its way over Nabokov and into the net.
Krug went off for Boarding, giving the Islanders a Power Play they would take advantage of (again). Chara missed a clearing opportunity, allowing Frans Neilson to gain possession and trickle one past the diving Rask.
As if two Power Play goals weren’t enough, Rask would get a “Delay of game” penalty that would prove costly. With time winding down Islander Winger Kyle Okposo threw a shot toward goal that careened off of Marchand and into the net, tying the score at three apiece.
After 2 periods; 3-3 Shots: 12-11 New York
The third period started off as poorly as the second finished when Islander Center John Tavares took a bad angle shot that went off of Rask’s glove and in, giving N.Y. the lead for the first time.
*The B’s surrendered three goals in four minutes time (4:02).
Adding insult to injury… Marchand got a double minor for Roughing, giving the Islanders yet another Power Play opportunity. Once again John Tavares fired one past Rask for his second goal of the game and the second soft goal let in by Rask on the evening.
5-3 loss. Shots total: 38-31 Boston
Next up for the B’s a Thursday night game against the Nashville Predators. Go B’s!