Feb 26, 2013; Uniondale, NY, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) makes a save on a shot by New York Islanders right wing Michael Grabner (40) during the first period of an NHL game at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Last night we saw the Boston Bruins take on the New York Islanders. It was the last of a five game away stretch for the B’s, and there were making an attempt to finish the away stretch with a 4-1 record. The Bruins had gone 7-1-1 against the Islanders in the last few attempts, and it seemed like it was going to be an easy game for the Bruins. The Islanders however, played with youthful exuberance that bordered on desperation. They fought hard to keep the bigger and tougher Bruins at bay.
The Bruins scored early in the second period, and never looked back. The Bruins beat the Islanders 4-1 despite not having one of their better games on the ice. The Bruins are now 12-2-2. The Bruins are still second in the Northeast Division, a single point behind the Montreal Canadiens. (The Canadiens have still played three more games than the B’s.) So, let’s get to the three stars.
February 26, 2013
Boston Bruins vs New York Islanders (Boston @ New York)
Final Score: Boston Bruins 4 – New York Islanders 1
Three Stars of the Game: Third Star: Patrice Bergeron, Second Star: Brad Marchand , First Star: Tuukka Rask
Causeway Crowd’s Three Stars of the Game:
Third Star: Patrice Bergeron. Tonight, Bergy earned his 100th career multi point game. They were both assists. He got one for the McQuaid goal in the first, and the second for Marchand’s go ahead goal in the second.(From Billy)” played a great 2 way game, continues to win face offs and hit. robbed a handful of times by Nabokov.” Bergeron is proving why he was last year’s Selkie winner.
Second Star: Brad Marchand. (From Billy)” gets his 10th goal of the year and it turns out to be the game winner. He’s playing well and skating even better. (From Matt)” What else can we say about Marchand other then he is having a phenomenal season thus far. He scored his tenth goal of the season tonight and that is leading the team. The goal put the Bruins ahead 2-1 and the Bruins never looked back from there. Marchand, is proving himself as a legitimate scorer in this league.” With a 34.5% shot percentage, he is legitimately the best sniper in the entire league. While he hasn’t hung up his instigator skates entirely, this more mature Marchand is giving headaches to his opponents up and down the NHL.
First Star: Tuukka Rask. (This is also the first time that Causeway Crowd and the NHL have agreed on who should be the three stars of the game. Was bound to happen sooner or later I suppose.) (From Matt)”Tuukka Rask was flat out unbelievable tonight. He made 36 saves on 37 shots and was big for the Bruins all game. There is no question in my mind that he is one of the top goalies in the league this year as he continues to play at a high level. This was Tuukka’s fourth game in a row and he has won all of them. Even though he may be getting tired, I think Claude Julien needs to keep riding with him until he cools off, he is too hot right now not to be between the pipes.” (From Billy)”stood on his head all night and just continues to make save after save. He was in the zone tonight.” Indeed. He’s 10-1-2 in the crease. His ten wins ties him with the best in the league, and he’s in the top ten with his .930 save%(6th) and his 1.89 goals against average (4th).