3 Bruins Questions Ahead of Tonight’s Game vs. NYI

For the first time in six days, the Boston Bruins were able to hold a practice at Warrior Ice Arena Wednesday night in what they hope is their first game in seven days tonight at the TD Garden against the New York Islanders.

Tonight will also mark the first time in over a year that fans will be in attendance. About 2,100 fans are expected to come through the turnstiles and watch the B’s.

Boston still has two players, Sean Kuraly and Jake DeBrusk, on the COVID-19 protocols list, but David Pastrnak, Craig Smith, and David Krejci were taken off the list Wednesday. It will not be an easy night on the ice as the Bruins face the first place Isles and if they are going to get a victory in front of their fans, the answer to these three questions will go a long way into getting a pair of key points.

How do the Bruins play in the first period?

For the first time in six days, the Bruins were on the ice Wednesday night and after seven days, they finally get to play a game after having their previous two postponed. It will be interesting to see how they come out and play in the opening 20 minutes.

Boston has had some strong first periods this season, while they have had their fair share of duds. The Islanders have played just two games during the B’s break, so they will be rested as their last game was Monday night.

Can the Bruins finally solve Semyon Varlamov?

Ok, the answer to this in the four previous meetings this season on Long Island has been a resounding NO as the Isles are 4-0 against the hometown team. Boston has got just five pucks by Varlamov this season and have been shutout once. If there is ever a time to break out against Varlamov, it’s tonight.

Can the Bruins avoid a third-period meltdown?

In the middle two games against the Isles, the Bruins have gone into the third period tied 2-2, only to be outscored 7-0 combined in the two games to lose 4-2 and 7-2. Boston has given up power play goals, shorthanded goals, and 5-on-5 goals during that time.

The Islanders are not a team you want to be trailing at any point, never mind in the third period with their style of play. It would be in the Bruins’ best interest to head into the third period, at least tied or leading. In the team’s last meeting, the game was tied 1-1 through 40 minutes, and the Bruins survived the third period to get a point in the standings before losing in a shootout.

After a week of nothing in the middle of the season because of the coronavirus, the Bruins get back on the ice tonight and begin a daunting stretch of 28 games in 45 days. Buckle up.