Islanders Falter after Fast Start
For twenty minutes, the New York Islanders looked like the sharper, hungrier team. But after a dominant opening period, the wheels fell off in Boston as the Bruins stormed back with five unanswered goals to hand the Islanders a 5-2 loss on Tuesday night at TD Garden.
Fast Start for the Isles
The Bruins came out flying, spending the opening minute deep in the Islanders’ zone, but it was New York that struck first. Bo Horvat continued his torrid scoring pace, netting his sixth goal in as many games off the rush to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead.
Moments later, the Islanders capitalized again—this time on the power play. Matt Barzal threaded a beautiful cross-ice pass to Kyle Palmieri, who buried it to make it 2-0. New York’s power play looked sharp early, moving the puck crisply and generating quality looks throughout the first period.
By the end of the opening frame, the Islanders were in full control—limiting Boston’s chances, winning puck battles, and dictating play in all three zones.
Bruins Battle Back
Momentum shifted dramatically in the second period. A questionable tripping call on Anders Lee gave the Bruins their first power play, but the Islanders’ penalty killers held firm. However, discipline soon became an issue as Marshal Warren was called for a penalty shortly after, and this time Boston made it count. Hampus Lindholm blasted home a power-play goal to cut the Islanders’ lead to 2-1.
From there, the Bruins found their rhythm. David Pastrnak tied the game with a quick release off a slick passing sequence, and just minutes later, Michael Eyssimont gave Boston its first lead of the night—capping off three unanswered goals and forcing Islanders coach Patrick Roy to call a timeout.
The Bruins dominated the remainder of the period, peppering Ilya Sorokin with shots and keeping the Islanders hemmed in their zone. A late high-sticking penalty on Lindholm gave New York a four-minute power play, but they struggled to sustain pressure and entered the intermission trailing 3-2.
No Answers in the Third
The Islanders opened the final frame with one minute remaining on that power play but failed to generate offense. Pastrnak was later called for hooking, offering another opportunity for New York to claw back, but the Islanders’ man advantage continued to sputter.
Moments later, Morgan Geekie unleashed a 95-mph slapshot that blew past Sorokin, extending Boston’s lead to 4-2. With time running out, the Islanders pulled Sorokin for an extra attacker, but a costly turnover by Barzal at the blue line led to an empty-net goal—Boston’s fifth straight—to seal the win.
Final Thoughts
The Islanders’ strong first period showcased their potential, but the final forty minutes told a different story. The Bruins adjusted, dictated the pace, and punished New York’s mistakes, outshooting and outworking the Islanders in nearly every aspect after the first intermission.
Bo Horvat’s goal streak continued, and Sorokin made several key saves, but special teams inefficiency and a lack of sustained offense doomed the Islanders.
In the end, twenty minutes of good hockey weren’t enough in Boston. The Islanders will look to regroup quickly as they head to Carolina searching for a full sixty-minute effort, which they will need against a fast Hurricanes team.