BSJ Game Report: Bruins 6, Islanders 3 - Bruins blow out New York behind scoring salvo

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 6-3 win over the Islanders, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

B’s offense flexes its muscles: Just a few days after the Bruins put forth a defensive clinic against the Lightning, we got a glimpse at just how much of a behemoth this team can be when they start cashing in on their looks down the other end of the ice. 

For as much as these Saturday matinees present the risk of a sleepwalking showing out on the ice, the Bruins absolutely pummeled the Islanders throughout the afternoon, with 10 different skaters recording at least a point in Boston’s 6-3 win — the B's fourth win in a row. 

In total, Boston’s first three forward lines all factored in goals, with Boston ultimately landing 44 shots against an Islanders team that entered the afternoon with a record of 7-1-1 in their last nine games.

With Patrice Bergeron back in the fold on that top line (a trio that combined for five points on Saturday), the Hall-Haula-Pastrnak line still cashing in at a steady clip (seven combined points vs. New York) and the Frederic-Coyle-Smith combination looking like a matchup nightmare in the postseason (outscoring teams, 13-2, as a unit this season), this Bruins team is looking very, very dangerous. 

The Bruins, who are now 14-2-1 in their last 17 games, are seeing just about everyone pull on the rope these days. And that depth is going to be needed in the coming months. 

Patrice Bergeron returns: After missing the last four games due to an elbow infection, Patrice Bergeron finally received the green light to return to the ice on Saturday — with Boston rolling out its full complement of skaters for the first time … in a long time. 

Bergeron’s impact was evident throughout the contest — with Boston’s top line awakening from its dormant state and cashing in with tallies from Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk. And after a brutal showing from Boston’s power play against Tampa Bay on Thursday, the B’s man advantage was much sharper against the Islanders, a byproduct of having a guy like Bergeron directing traffic from the bumper spot.

Boston’s second and third lines have been putting together strong returns for weeks now, but if Boston is going to consistently generate offense, it’s going to need that top line to land some punches and balance out that scoring. And it’s pretty clear that Bergeron is the engine that drives that trio’s success from his spot down the middle.

With his return to the lineup, Bergeron also reached another major individual milestone, with Saturday marking his 1,200th game in a Bruins sweater. Bergeron now ranks third in Bruins franchise history in games played — trailing just Ray Bourque (1,518) and Johnny Bucyk (1,436).

THREE UP

Hall-Haula-Pastrnak line: Count me as one of many who were very skeptical of Erik Haula’s potential as a 2C on a Cup-contending squad. But in the three games since the trade deadline, Haula has gone out and racked up seven points — and is now up to 27 points in his last 36 games. Of course, having a pair of weapons in David Pastrnak (one goal, one assist) and Taylor Hall (one goal, two assists) helps out a great deal. But this second line is locked in right now — and taking plenty of pressure off of Bergeron’s line in the process. 

Coyle Line: The Bruins are going to have a major matchup weapon in place if this third line continues to operate like this going into the postseason. Charlie Coyle was once again an O-zone monster, holding onto the puck and extending possessions on multiple shifts, while Craig Smith is now up to nine goals and 15 points in his last 15 games. That shift that led to Smith’s opening tally — in which Coyle bulldozed Adam Pelech in the offensive zone — is the kind of sequence required to win some games in May and June. 

Bergeron Line: What do you know - you put a future Hall of Famer back in the lineup, and your top line starts cashing in once again. Good to see Boston’s first line etch its name in the scoresheet once again — especially a guy like Jake DeBrusk, who was in a bit of a cold spell as of late. 

TWO DOWN

Response goals: In what has been a concerning trend all season, the Bruins were knocked for coughing up a goal shortly after lighting the lamp. Just 22 seconds after Hall redirected a Charlie McAvoy feed past Semyon Varlamov in the final minute of the first period, the Isles landed a counter-punch against Boston, with Brock Nelson depositing a puck past Linus Ullmark off a backhand attempt.

With just 11.8 seconds left in the period, giving up a tally like that just ahead of the first intermission could have served as a back-breaker and given a visiting team some juice. Boston of course bounced back and scored twice in the first four minutes of the second period to regain that momentum, but continuing to take your foot off the gas is going to come back to bite you at some point.

Linus Ullmark: Bit of an adventure for Ullmark between the pipes this afternoon. Just far too many rebounds and second-chance opportunities for the Isles in this one.  

PLAY OF THE GAME

What a fantastic goal off the rush for the second line — jumpstarted by a smooooooth entry from Hall. 

LOOSE PUCKS

Rest easy, Taylor Hawkins. 

What a sad day for music. 

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will continue their five-game homestand on Tuesday with an anticipated matchup against the Maple Leafs. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.