The New York Islanders give up the fewest goals in the league. Here’s why Brad Marchand is up to the task.
The Boston Bruins are set for the second game of their four-game homestand Thursday night against the New York Islanders. The Bruins hope to put Tuesday’s overtime loss versus Los Angeles behind them with a strong performance.
The Islanders come to Boston in the midst of another impressive season. Currently, they sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 46 points.
New York employs a rigid defensive structure that suffocates opposing offenses. So far, the Islanders only surrendered 80 total goals, fewer than any other NHL team.
Boston’s forwards really need to step up their games on Thursday to ensure a positive result. Fortunately, Brad Marchand looks to be up to the task.
Brad Marchand is on a five-game point streak
After a brief but noticeable cold stretch in which he had one point in six games, Marchand heated up once Patrice Bergeron came back to the lineup.
Although he hasn’t scored a goal since November 27, Marchand continues to be quite the playmaker. Marchand enters the game against the Islanders on a five-game point streak. He has seven total assists in those five games.
Marchand’s assist in the first period against the Kings stands out. Danton Heinen got credit after the puck deflected off his skate, but the play was all Marchand.
Similarly, Marchand had pretty much that same assist on a David Pastrnak goal last week. Boston’s power play operates a higher level when Marchand makes these kinds of plays.
The Bruins need Marchand to continue his point streak against the defensive-minded Islanders. Based on history, expect him to deliver.
Marchand’s career numbers versus the New York Islanders
Thursday night marks the 30th time Marchand faces off against the Islanders. In his previous 29 games, he has eight goals and 16 assists for 24 points.
In addition, Marchand is a career +11 versus the Islanders, and he has 21 total penalty minutes.
We expect those kinds of numbers from an offensive talent like Marchand, but they still are impressive. The Islanders always seem to be strong defensively, but that doesn’t stop Marchand.
With his current form and his career numbers against the Islanders, Marchand is definitely a player to watch Thursday night. How he plays will likely determine whether or not the Bruins can finish with two points.