Boston Bruins: Very Good Answers Lead to a Game 3 Win

Entering Game 3 of their best-of-seven second-round East Division playoff series, we posed three questions facing the Boston Bruins against the New York Islanders with the series tied 1-1.

The answers to those questions were good ones as Brad Marchand‘s goal in overtime gave the Bruins  2-1 win for a 2-1 series lead. Let’s revisit those questions with some answers.

1. How healthy is Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask?

There were questions surrounding Tuukka Rask‘s health between Game 2 and 3, but if there were any questions about his health last night, he answered them quickly. He made 28 saves, including two early in overtime on Jordan Eberle and Matthew Barzal. He also stopped New York forward Anthony Beauvillier on a breakaway right after Craig Smith gave Boston an early 1-0 first-period lead.

Two days in between games might have been what the Bruins’ top netminder needed, as he kept his team in the game before Marchand buried the game-winner.

2. How does Lauzon responded following his Game 2 turnover?

In overtime Monday night at the TD Garden, Bruins defensemen Jeremy Lauzon had a costly turnover at the Islanders blue line, which sent Casey Cizikas in alone on a breakaway for a game-winning goal in a 4-3 New York win. Thursday night, Lauzon had 16:57 of time-on-ice in the game, including 3:58 of shorthanded time. He finished with three shots on the net and two blocks in the game. It did not look like there was no carry-over from his Game 2 miscue.

3. Can the Bruins get a win on Long Island?

Yup. Thanks to Marchand and his snipe.

Overall, the Bruins put together a good night of hockey. They carried the play to the Islanders and if it was not for Varlamov, the game would have been over in regulation. Game 4 is Saturday night back at the Nassau Coliseum.