With the New York Islanders in town, the Bruins needed to snap a string of bad play in the last 8 or so games, and get back in the win column before the teams below them in the standings start making up some serious ground. Early on in the game it appeared as though they were ready to dominate as Anders Bjork scored two minutes into the game.
The second period would prove to be a different story, as the Bruins looked much like they have in recent weeks, just plain bad. They have been so sloppy with the puck and it was apparent here as they allowed the Islanders to score two straight goals and take the lead. Former Bruins Johnny Boychuck got the first for the Islanders and then followed it up with a beautiful assist to Matthew Barzal who took the lead.
In the third period, the Bruins looked better but mostly because of power play opportunities. Halfway through the period, the B’s earned a power play and quickly got a 5-on-3 man advantage after a delay of game penalty by the Isles. Immediately after the next faceoff, the Bruins worked the puck from high to low and Torey Krug walked into a one-timer to tie the game.
The Islanders would kill the remainder of penalty time and would hold off the Bruins attack for a game winner, forcing overtime. The extra five minutes of 3-on-3 was once again very exciting as both teams had chances to end the game, but neither could score and the game went to a shootout, where the Bruins have yet to win this season…and that continues as the Islanders would put two past Tuukka. It was a hard earned point in this game, but another game where the B’s should have skated out with two points. They’re next chance to snap this streak will be on Saturday night against the Nashville Predators in Boston at 7pm.
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