Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 3-2 shootout loss to the Islanders in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
Box Score
HEADLINES
Bruins' slump continues: In a really spirited affair that felt like a playoff game between two Eastern Conference heavyweights, the Bruins carried a lot of the play but ultimately couldn't beat a very game Semyon Varlamov (27 saves) enough to emerge with a much-needed victory. The Bruins have now dropped seven of eight games and have lost four straight home games for the first time since 2015. “They don’t give you much and record and goals against are evidence of that,” said Torey Krug, who evened the game at 2-2 with a blast on a two-man advantage. “Every guy in this room feels like they can give a little bit more and hope we can right the ship soon.”
Varlamov might have made another save of the year: Anders Bjork who scored off a great play by Charlie Coyle to get the Bruins off to a rare good start, thought he had another when the net appeared empty with 3:33 remaining in the second period. But Varlamov dove across the crease and robbed Bjork. “Only had a chance to reach with my glove and he shot it right in the glove,” Varlamov said. “If he shot that 10 times, he would have scored nine of 10. It was important to win this game."
Save of the year??? Trotz thinks so and we do too ?? pic.twitter.com/O7md1mUCoR
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 20, 2019
Johnny Rocket! ?@NYIslanders | #NYIvsBOS pic.twitter.com/i16Jsqp9wV
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) December 20, 2019
That Anders Bjork goal was all made possible by Charlie Coyle. Great puck protection and a great keep-in.
Bjork-Coyle-Wagner has potential pic.twitter.com/thFBroTCbL
— Evan Marinofsky (@emarinofsky) December 20, 2019
BARZAL! ?
The @NYIslanders have their first lead. #NYIvsBOS pic.twitter.com/W1wYeDEUJ0
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) December 20, 2019
Quite the pass here by David Pastrnak pic.twitter.com/hfYwenQRBy
— Evan Marinofsky (@emarinofsky) December 20, 2019