Boston Bruins: Normal Service Resumed Against Islanders
The Boston Bruins played the New York Islanders for the final time this season at a Black and Gold filled Barclays Centre. The two teams have been on different paths this year and it is clear to see from the goaltender out. To give some context to the goaltending. The Islanders ranked at 31st whereas the Bruins are placed second. Patrice Bergeron would score a hattrick as the Boston Bruins demolished the Islanders 5-2.
The Bruins romped to yet another victory and keep firing on all cylinders. Is it too early to murmur about a Cup Run? Absolutely not.
First Period:
Charlie McAvoy almost scored a beautiful solo effort skating from that right -hand boards right around the goal. Continuing the ridiculous start to his rookie season.
Brandon Carlo would be at fault for the opening goal for New York. A bit of deja vu as Carlo had a similar slip up the last time the Bruins played here. Barzal snapping up the spill before laterally passing to Eberle who went over the glove of Anton Khudobin.
The Bruins would level things after a great play in the neutral zone. Brad Marchand picks up the puck full flight down the left wing before passing to Bergeron who sticks it home past the blocker. Bergeron’s 17th of the year. Jordan Eberle at fault on this own who couldn’t match Bergeron in a 200 foot game. Boston’s top line is now good for 73 points.
The Islanders late in the period would go five minutes without a shot on goal. With a rather slow start from the Boston Bruins, they found their feet.
The Bruins are now outscoring teams 19-2 in the +300 5v5 minutes that Bergeron, Marchand and Pastrnak have shared the ice for.
Second Period
Not much to write home about in the first five minutes. However, David Pastrnak would rattle the crossbar on a lovely play. Zdeno Chara showing how hard he has worked on his skating this season, driving the puck up ice before Pastrnak came close.
Ryan Spooner improved his tally to six goals in eight games. Spooner taking an optimistic swing on a bouncing puck after a faceoff, giving the Bruins a 2-1 lead. Spooner is definitely playing some of the best hockey of his career.
Shots were 15-14 in favour of the Bruins at this stage of proceedings.
Anders Lee took out Krejci’s legs and gifted Boston a powerplay. Ranking ninth best in the league, you could see why. Patrice Bergeron made it 3-1 following a blocked that fell favourably. Second of the night and 18th of the year. Brad Marchand would collect the puck for Torey Krug‘s 200th assist of his career. It would also be Krug’s 18th assist of the year. Ryan Spooner would have his second point of the game.
Brandon Carlo would make another misdemeanour, called for a trip as the buzzer went to end the second period.
Third Period:
Although the Bruins would begin the final frame on the PK, they had every reason to be confident. Quite frankly, they are a much better team than the Islanders. The only area the Islanders can compete is on offense. With the Bruins able to neutralise the Islanders attacking threat, Boston trumped the Isles on defence and in goaltending.
Nothing should surprise you from Boston’s top line anymore. Marchand takes a pass on the right-hand side with a spin move managed to just about get the puck to Bergeron who on his spin move somehow managed to get it past Halak. That would complete yet another hattrick. How is Bergeron not an All-Star? 4-1.
In a rather embarrassing scene for the Islanders, Boston hats rained down upon the Barclays Centre Ice. The Islanders would get one back with five remaining in the third with John Tavares bringing the Islanders within two. His first point in the three game series with the Bruins. 4-2.
Brad Marchand would hammer the final nail into the coffin with an empty netter as a desperate Islanders team searched for something.
Next: Rancourt Retirement on the Horizon
With Vegas currently leading Tampa Bay, it leaves the Bruins five points off the top spot in the Atlantic with a game in hand.
11-0-4, longest point streak for the Boston Bruins since 2013-14.