Fansided

Preview: Bruins at Islanders, lines, time, what to know

By Bryan Murphy |
Jun 9, 2021; Uniondale, New York, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anthony Beauvillier (18) fights for the puck against Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) and right wing Craig Smith (12) during the second period of game six of the second round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2021; Uniondale, New York, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anthony Beauvillier (18) fights for the puck against Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) and right wing Craig Smith (12) during the second period of game six of the second round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The last time the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders met was in the second round of the 2021 playoffs. New York defeated Boston in six games, sending the Bruins home packing as their quest for a Stanley Cup ended.

Now, the two face again, this time at the Islanders new UBS Arena, for the first time in the 2021-22 season.

The Bruins will be extremely shorthanded, with six total players in COVID protocols. Brad Marchand and Craig Smith remain out after missing the Vegas game. Patrice Bergeron was added yesterday and the trio of Trent Frederic, Anton Blidh and Jeremy Swayman were added today.

If this game evens happens, it’s a complete crapshoot. The Islanders are struggling this season, sitting at the bottom of the Metropolitan division. But the Bruins will be without three of their top-six forwards and five of their usual forward group in total.

When: 7:30 p.m. ET

Where: UBS Arena in Elmont Park, New York

TV: NESN

Stream: ESPN+

Bruins projected linesHall – Coyle – PastrnakDeBrusk-Studnicka-SteenHaula-Nosek-FolignoFroden – Lazar – Kuhlman Forbort-McAvoyGrzelcyk-CarloReilly-Clifton UllmarkKeyser
Islanders projected lineupBeauvillier-Nelson-BaileyLee-Pageau-PalmieriBellows-Parise-WahlstromMartin-Cizikas-Cutterbuck Pelech-MayfieldChara-DobsonGreene-Salo SorokinVarlamov

An interesting lineup to say the least. Jesper Froden will be making his NHL debut tonight after he, along with goaltender Kyle Keyser, were recalled from the Providence Bruins this morning. He has 13 points in 21 games this season in the AHL. Jack Studnicka and Oskar Steen, both recent call-ups as well, look to get a chance at some significant ice time tonight.

Mike Reilly draws back into the lineup after he was healthy scratched on Tuesday. The Boston blue line (fingers crossed) has yet to be hit by COVID and all defensemen that are healthy are available.

Linus Ullmark, on a streak of five games where he has allowed just two goals against per game, gets the nod against an Islanders team that is scoring 2.13 goals per game. Only the Arizona Coyotes are scoring at a lower rate this season. And, the Islanders will be without top playmaker Mathew Barzal, ad he has entered COVID protocols for New York.

With a normal lineup, this should be a win for the Bruins. New York is not the top team it was last season, at least it isn’t playing like it. But the Bruins are a completely depleted group up front right now and I have no idea what to expect tonight.

Next. The Bruins' usage of this defenseman has been confusing. dark

It would be great to see the Bruins band together with the players they have and get the win tonight against the Islanders. That is if the game even happens.

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