The Ugly
- With the game tied 1-1 with just under five minutes left in the first period, Rask gave up a goal that he stops 99 times out of 100. New York broke in 3-on-2 with Brock Nelson sending a pass to Pageau. The Islanders forward took a slap shot from the right circle that went between the legs of Rask and in the net for a 2-1 Isles lead. I know this is being obvious, but the Bruins needed a save there. Struggling to generate much offense against the Islanders, falling behind is less than ideal in trying to make a comeback against the defensive sound Isles.
- Tied 2-2 early in the third period, David Pastrnak took a penalty for a stick infraction on an Islanders drive to the net. The Bruins have entered the game with the league’s best penalty-killing unit, but it was a less than impressive kill that resulted in the game-winning goal for New York. Rask stopped the puck behind the net, put Kevan Miller in a tough position to clear the puck, which found its way to the front of the net, where Rask interfered with Bergeron trying to clear the puck. Marchand had a chance to get the puck out of the zone, couldn’t. The Bruins overloaded one side of the ice on the kill and left Matt Barzal open on the left side and he one-timed a pass from Jordan Eberle under the crossbar for a 3-2 lead.
Playing 10 of their first 14 games on the road and having the success they have had coming from behind in the third period to win games took its toll on the Bruins. They were due for a stinker and it came Saturday night. They now get five days off at home and hope to get good news on Grzelck and Zboril on the injury front.