BSJ Game Report: Bruins 3, Islanders 2 (OT) - Bergeron’s OT winner lifts B’s to 3rd straight win

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 3-2 overtime win over the Islanders in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

Box Score

HEADLINES 

Bruins claw back, extend win streak: Based on the first 15 minutes of Saturday’s matchup, it looked as though the B’s recent resurgence might have hit a wall against an Islanders club that thrives off of grinding an opposing offense to a halt. At one point in the opening period, the Islanders held a commanding 14-2 edge in shots on goal, with one of those shots from Scott Mayfield sailing past Tuukka Rask just 4:36 into the game. 

But as the contest carried on, Boston tilted the ice back in its favor, scoring two unanswered goals from Jake DeBrusk and John Moore before a tally from Mathew Barzal at 9:33 in the third forced overtime. Boston hasn’t had the best luck when it comes to overtime this season, but Brad Marchand put the odds back in the B’s favor early into the extra period, drawing a penalty against Brock Nelson off a drive toward New York’s net. Less than a minute later, Patrice Bergeron ended things for Boston, snapping a shot past Semyon Varlamov from the slot to close out a 3-2 victory. Rask stopped 35 shots in the win for the Bruins, who have now posted three straight victories. 

Matt Grzelcyk knocked out early: 

The Bruins’ blue line continues to take some major hits. After losing Zdeno Chara on Thursday night due to complications from a December jaw procedure, Saturday stood as another contest in which Boston was without a regular on the blue line — as Matt Grzelcyk only logged 1:27 of ice time on Saturday before missing the rest of the contest due to a lower-body injury. 

On just his second shift of the night, Grzelcyk went down after taking a stick from Derick Brassard to the back of the knee/foot in an unprotected area. Grzelcyk skated right back to Boston’s bench, favoring his leg, and did not return for the rest of the game. With Connor Clifton already out due to an upper-body injury and Kevan Miller still sidelined, the Bruins will have its fingers crossed when it comes to Grzelcyk’s status. As one of the B’s most trusted skaters when it comes to carrying the puck out of the D zone, Grzelcyk can’t afford to miss an extended stretch. 

THREE UP

Tuukka Rask: While the Bruins tilted the ice back in their favor as the game progressed, the Islanders continued to take advantage of multiple defensive lapses from the B’s — generating numerous odd-man rushes against Rask in net. In total, New York generated an absurd 13 high-danger scoring chances against Rask — 12 of which he turned aside. Had it not been for Rask, this game could have been over by the first intermission. 

Patrice Bergeron: Just another day at the office for Bergeron, who complimented his OT winner by winning 13 of his 23 faceoffs on the night. The Bergeron line generated a team-high four high-danger scoring chances in their 14:13 of 5v5 TOI on Saturday. 

Charlie McAvoy: Yes, that first goal is still eluding him, but the Bruins won’t have many qualms if McAvoy continues to play like this. Along with logging a season-high 28:43 of ice time, McAvoy set up DeBrusk’s goal with a crafty O-zone entry, while logging five hits and four total blocks. He also helped snuff out a great Islanders scoring chance with this heads-up play in the second period. 

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1216168969998086149

TWO DOWN

Krejci Line: While DeBrusk has now tallied three goals and five total points over his last three games, Boston’s second line had a bit of a so-so night. Even with Anders Bjork benched for an extended stretch in the first period, the DeBrusk-Krejci-Bjork line still logged 9:46 of ice time together. During that stretch, the Islanders landed 13 shots on goal and generated seven high-danger looks. 

Zdeno Chara: Bit of a so-so night from Chara after returning from a one-game absence. Chara, who logged 19:47 of ice time in the win, didn’t look all that great on Barzal’s equalizer in the third period. 

https://twitter.com/RTaub_/status/1216180875756437505

PLAY OF THE GAME

With Bergeron’s power-play tally in overtime, the Bruins have now scored a power-play goal in 13 straight games. That’s a new franchise record. 

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1216187485665009664

PARTING THOUGHT

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1216159651261243398

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will continue their three-game road trip on Monday, with the B’s heading to Philly to take on the Flyers. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.