FINAL: Bruins 5, Islanders 4 (SO) - Pastrnak nets game winner in shootout

The Bruins defeated the New York Islanders 4-3 on Friday night at UBS Arena in a shootout. David Pastrnak scored the game winner in round three of the shootout to remain in first place in the Eastern Conference. The B's did not lead during any point of the game. 

The Bruins were outplayed in the first two periods and were outshot 15-9 at the first intermission. After a scoreless first period, Alexander Romanov scored 1:42 into the second period to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead. New York added on at the 13:26 mark when Simon Holmstrom scored to make it 2-0 Islanders. Linus Ullmark made two unbelievable saves later in the period which gave Boston energy and led to Morgan Geekie scoring on the power play to put the B's on the board which made it 2-1.

 David Pastrnak tied it up at two for Boston on the power play at the 17:26 mark. 

The third period did not slow down as Bo Horvat scored 5:06 into the period on the power play which made it 3-2 New York. Brad Marchand had scored a goal that would have tied the game at three, but was waved off after review as he pushed the puck across with his hand. It did not matter as  shortly after, James Van Riemsdyk scored at the 10:48 mark on the man advantage for Boston to tie it at three. Brock Nelson scored at the 12:01 mark for the Islanders to give New York a 4-3 advantage. 

You may have figured it was over, but Mason Lohrei had over ideas as he had the game tying goal at the 16:51 mark which forced overtime. 

After a scoreless overtime period, the Bruins won thanks to a Pastrnak goal in round three of the shootout. 

Ullmark finished the night with 33 saves in net. Ullmark kept Boston in the game and it could have gotten out of hand if not for him. 

The Bruins return to action in a back-to-back on Saturday night at TD Garden to face the New York Rangers with face off set for 7 p.m. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• The Bruins did not lead during the entire game but kept fighting back for a gutsy road win.

• Ullmark did it all in net and kept the B's in the game. Ullman made an outstanding save when the Bruins were down 3-2 which led to a goal from Geekie to put Boston on the board. 

• Kevin Shattenkirk had a tough game with a penalty leading to a goal for the Islanders and a bad turnover. 

  Linus Ullmark following the #NHLBruins shootout win on Friday night: "We knew it was going to be a tough one but we stuck with it and did the right things and came out rewarded." pic.twitter.com/gniQYyaB1C

  — Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 16, 2023

  
  

  
  

  
  

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WHO: Bruins (18-5-4) at Islanders (14-7-7)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
WHERE: UBS Arena, Elmont. 
TV: NESN
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub
LIVE BOX SCORE
ROSTERS

Heinen-Geekie-Pastrnak
Marchand-Coyle-DeBrusk
Van Riemsdyk-Frederic-Boqvist
Lauko-Beecher-Steen

Lindholm-Shattenkirk
Grzelcyk-Carlo
Lohrei-Wotherspoon

Ullmark
Swayman

 ISLANDERS

Lee-Horvat-Barzal
Engvall-Nelson-Palmieri
Holmstrom-Pageau-Gauthier
Fasching-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Romanov-Dobson
Bolduc-Bortuzzo
Reilly-Aho
Sorokin
Varlamov

PREGAME NOTES

The Bruins wrap up their two-game road trip tonight on Long Island to face the New York Islanders at 7:30 p.m. Boston is looking to get back in the win column after losing a tough one in overtime on Wednesday night at New Jersey. The B's enter tonight without both Charlie McAvoy and Pavel Zacha who have both been placed on Injured Reserve. Boston has recalled both Patrick Brown and Parker Wotherspoon from Providence to replace McAvoy and Zacha. 

Hampus Lindholm will be playing in his 700th career game tonight, and Matt Grzelcyk will suit up in his 400th career game tonight. 

The Bruins face a team in the New York Islanders that enters on a four-game winning streak, most recently defeating the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 on Wednesday night. New York has a 6-0-1 record in their last seven games, and have wins in their last four straight home contests for the first time this season. The Islanders are also 5-0-2 at UBS Arena since November 22nd, it is New York's longest point streak ever at UBS Arena, and longest at any home venue since starting the 2020-21 season. 

Noah Dobson is riding a five-game assist streak, which matches his career high. The Summerside, Canada native has recorded eight assists in his last five games. Brock Nelson leads the club in goals (12) and Matthew Barzal leads in points (30). 

The Islanders has been successful on the power play in six of their last eight games. They have converted on 32.5% of power plays since November 15th which leads the NHL in that span.