It’s been tough for the Boston Bruins so far. Just when the Bruins appeared to have finally turned the corner by winning two games in a row, they followed that up with a frustrating loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday. The New York Islanders, meanwhile, can’t relate to Boston’s misery, as they are currently riding a four-game win streak when they welcome the Bruins at Barclays Center later tonight.
[sc:NHL240 ]What was supposed to be Boston’s strength has turned out to be its weak spot early this season—its defense. Boston’s leaky defense was on full display once again on Wednesday, as the Bruins absorbed a 5-4 overtime loss at the hands Philadelphia.
It’s easy to determine the goat in that game. It was netminder Tuukka Rask, who allowed five goals on 37 shots faced. It was simply a performance hardly expected from a former Vezina Trophy winner. In five games played this season, Rask has posted eyesore numbers of a 1-3 record, a 4.29 GAA, and a .851 SV%.
That doesn’t sound good for Rask heading into tonight’s contest against one of the most lethal offenses in the league in the Islanders. Overall, the Bruins are allowing a dizzying 4.2 goals allowed per game.
If that bumbling defense can finally get its act together, though, then expect a big turnaround for Boston. For one, the Bruins already have an offense that smothers opponents for 3.7 goals per game, the second highest in the NHL. Centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci have been the 1-2 punch of the Bruins with both players combining for eight goals and 14 assists thus far this season.
The Bruins are particularly potent on the power play, as they are No. 1 in the NHL too with a 38.9 PP%. In addition, they are 4-for-9 on the man advantage over the last two games.
Boston is 7-3 in its last 10 road games against the Islanders.
Those back-to-back losses to Chicago to start the season? The Islanders might not even have those in their memory anymore. Fresh off a 4-0 dismantling of free-falling Columbus on Tuesday, the Isles head back home to host Boston, looking to extend their win streak to five games. They are 4-0 in their last four home games.
The Isles’ offense was simply efficient against Columbus, as they overpowered the Blue Jackets despite being outshot, 37-29. Their offense complemented the brilliant 37-shot shutout performance by goalie Jaroslav Halak, who improved his numbers to 2-0 record 1.50 GAA, and .952SV% this season.
The Islanders were also able to stuff all six of Columbus’s power plays. That tenacity on the penalty kill will have to show up again against the aforementioned killer special teams of Boston.
John Tavares and company, meanwhile, must not underestimate Boston’s defense, which is mostly getting bad rep because of Rask’s bad play. The Bruins still have a sturdy blue line, one that allows just 29.2 shots per game. That’s fewer than New York’s 33.3 shots per contest average. Overall, the Isles are scoring 3.5 goals per outing thus far this season.
