Why the Bruins’ win over the Islanders is so important

Nov 9, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) high-fives left wing Brad Marchand (63) after a game against the New York Islanders at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) high-fives left wing Brad Marchand (63) after a game against the New York Islanders at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Going into Thursday’s game, the Boston Bruins were hoping to make it two in a row and to continue to remain undefeated in regulation at home.

Standing in their way was the New York Islanders, who sat in fourth place of the Metropolitan Division. The other thing standing in their way was their goaltender, Linus Ullmark, who had not played up to his Vezina-caliber season he had as of late.

None of that mattered, however, as the Bruins were able to pick up a resounding a 5-2 victory over the Islanders.

Here’s what is so important about the game.

Charlie Coyle should have some momentum on his side now

Going into Thursday night’s game, Charlie Coyle had just eight points (2 g, 6 a) in 12 games. All of that adds up to a slow start, at least in this reporters opinion.

Now, after putting up a four-point night which included his first hat trick, Coyle should definitely feel a little bit better about himself moving forward as he now sits at 12 points in 13 games.

In addition, Coyle also set a career-high with four points, and also increased his career points totals to 400, increased his career goals to 150, and increased his assists total to 250. All of this coming when he was two games from his 800th career game.

It was a clear bounce back game for Ullmark

In the game before, Ullmark went out and took on the Detroit Red Wings and was unable to pick up the victory despite making 35 saves.

In both games, Boston was able to score four or more goals. The difference this time, however, is that the Bruins were who were able to put their foot on the gas and outscore their opponents in the third period – outscoring the Islanders 3-1 in the final frame.

Ullmark made 27 saves in this one, including 14 in the first period alone. With the victory, the Vezina-winner is giving his back-up a run for his money, but we’ll see how far it goes.

The victory gives Boston a leg up in the season series

During the 2023-24 season, Boston only plays the Islanders three times throughout the entire season – once in Boston (Thursday night), and the other two at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y.

With the victory, the Bruins are now 1/3 of the way to clinching the season series, thereby giving them an advantage if it comes down to it with a season-ending tie breaker.

Given how hot Boston’s start has been to this season, it’s not looking like it will come down to this, but it still is encouraging to know that they can defeat them in at least one of the games.

What’s next for the Bruins?

In their next game, the Bruins face off with their arch-rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, at the Bell Center on Saturday – puck drop on NHL Network and NESN, is at 7:00 p.m.