Marchand’s Overtime Goal Gives Bruins Series Lead

When Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand stepped onto the ice for a shift in overtime, the first-line left wing needed just four seconds to win the game for the Black and Gold.

Marchand collected a pass from Charlie McAvoy at the New York Islanders‘ blue line, skated down the left boards and his shot from a tough angle found its way past Isles goalie Semyon Varlamov and into the net for a 2-1 victory in Game 3 Thursday night.

Marchand’s game-winning goal was his 102nd career playoff point and gives the Bruins a 2-1 series lead in their best-of-seven series at a rocking Nassau Coliseum. Game 4 is 7:15 Saturday night back on Long Island.

The Bruins took an early lead in the first period when Craig Smith returned to the lineup after missing Game 2 with a lower-body injury and ripped a wrist shot over Varlamov’s shoulder at 5:52.

Taylor Hall had the primary assist on Smith’s goal, but it was the backcheck that the former Hart Trophy winner did right before the goal was a big reason the goal happened.

Marchand’s goal ended the game and if the Bruins had lost, it would have been a tough loss for them to suffer. Boston outplayed the Islanders in parts of the game, but was frustrated by Varlamov. In the second period, Varlamov made a pad save on a David Krejci one-timer, and then at the end of the period, he stopped Nick Ritchie, who was alone in the slot.

Varlamov has frustrated the Bruins this season with a 6-1 record in the regular season and the postseason. In the third period, the Black and Gold outshot New York, 21-9, but again could not get a shot past the Russian goalie.

Finally, in overtime, Marchand’s third career playoff goal was the difference as the Bruins regained home-ice advantage ahead of Game 4. If the Bruins are able to win Game 4, they set themselves up in the series. If not, it becomes a best-of-three series to be the East Division rep in the semifinals.