Rapid Reaction: Nelson Reaches 30, Islanders Fall 6-3 to Bruins

BOSTON– The New York Islanders came out rather slow against the Boston Bruins, ultimately falling 6-3 in the first of a back-to-back situation. The Islanders are now 11-14-5 on the road this season, 28-26-9 on the season.

ISLANDERS LINES:

Lee–Nelson–Beavuillier

Bailey–Pageau–Palmieri

Parise–Barzal–Wahlstrom

Martin–Cizikas–Bellows

Pelech–Pulock

Chara–Dobson

Aho-Greene

Varlamov

HOW IT HAPPENED

Craig Smith gave the Boston Bruins a 1-0 lead just over four minutes into the first period. Brandon Carlo’s shot from the point ricocheted off the end boards and Smith banked it home. Carlo and Charlie Coyle were credited with the assists on Smith’s 15th of the season at 4:03 of the first period.

Taylor Hall gave the Bruins a 2-0 lead at 19:26 of the first period. His power-play goal came off a shot from Charlie McAvoy at the point, which Hall redirected past New York Islanders Semyon Varlamov for his 14th of the season.

Brock Nelson snuck one in with 12 seconds to go in the first period to make it a 2-1 lead. His 30th of the season was assisted by Zdeno Chara and Anders Lee at 19:48 of the first period.

David Pastrnak’s goal just over two minutes into the second period gave the Boston Bruins a 3-1 lead. He buried a rebound for his 37th of the season, assisted by Erik Haula and Hall at 2:13 of th second period.

Brad Marchand made it a 4-1 game, as he beat Varlamov high blocker side for his 28th of the season at 3:56 of the second period. Patrice Bergeron was credited with the lone assist.

The Islanders cut the Bruins lead to two as Anders Lee scored from in-tight on the power play at 5:12 of the second period. His 25th of the season was assisted by Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Dobson.

The Bruins took a 5-2 lead at 14:33 of the second periods Erik Haula scored his ninth of the season after some strong passing. Pastrnak and Hall with the assists.

Jake DeBrusk made it a 6-2 as he bounced one off the back of Varlamov and in at 18:18 of the second period. Marchand and McAvoy with the assists on DeBrusk’s 16th of the season.

Zach Parise finished off a strong pass by Anthony Beauvillier to make it a 6-3 game with about five minutes to play in the third. His 10th of the season was assisted by Beauvillier and Palmieri at 14:43 of the third period.

Nelson Hits 30

For the first time in his nine-year NHL career, Brock Nelson has reached the 30-goal mark. His 30th came just 22 seconds after the Boston Bruins took a 2-0 lead as the Islanders went into the dressing room after period one down just a goal.

3⃣0⃣ goals for Nelson this season! pic.twitter.com/MVTK4EMakG

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 26, 2022

Mistakes Prove Costly

The New York Islanders were not smart with the puck on Saturday as from the get-go their ability to connect to teammates was underwhelming. Not only did it limit the offense but it allowed the Boston Bruins to take control of the game.

Whether it was an errant pass in transition or a weak play in their own zone, the Islanders put themselves in a position to fail. And against the Boston Bruins, a team that was 8-1-1 in their last 10 games and playing strong hockey, giving them chance upon chance is playing with fire.

10 different Islanders recorded turnovers in the contest.

Trotz Makes Changes

The New York Islanders defense had a tough time against the Boston Bruins. Adam Pelech was a -3, as well as Andy Greene, but the score was not just on them. But Islanders head coach Barry Trotz elected to make some changes as he separated his defense, playing Pelech with Greene, Ryan Pulock with Sebastian Aho, as Zdeno Chara stayed with Noah Dobson.

The Islanders did not allow a goal in the third period and the Boston Bruins only registered eight shots in the final frame. But not much was going on, on either side in the final twenty minutes.

Quotes:

“I mean, it feels good to contribute. And to get that one like you said at a time where you know, important goal in the game…it felt good for sure.”–Brock Nelson

“You know, it felt like they were in our face up ice. We weren’t very clean through the neutral zone. I thought it was not as smooth as it has been and when they were gapping up on us, they were, like I said in our face throughout the neutral zone, and that’s, that’s a tough combination. Just didn’t feel like we could get much going through there…”–Zach Parise

“I think it was pretty solid hockey and for most of the start and even halfway through and I think they just for you know, they had some good pressure and made some good plays and also had a couple of bounces and I think it just it did get away from us a little bit and gets a good team like that, it’s  to cover two or three goals.”–Anders Lee

“He’s had, you know, he’s been one of our more consistent guys all year. 30 goals is hard to get in this league and good for him. That’s, I think, that’s a new career mark for him. So, that’s good. He deserves it. He’s, he’s been pretty consistent all year.”–Barry Trotz

WHAT’S NEXT: The New York Islanders host the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday at 2:30 PM At UBS Arena.