Islanders hammer Bruins with 5 unanswered goals in third (Highlights)

The New York Islanders love playing the Boston Bruins. At least this year. In their third meeting against the top team in the East, the Isles hammered the Bruins 7-2 thanks to a flurry of goals in the third period.

The Isles are now 3-0-0 against the B’s who have only lost four times in regulations and recently just beat up on the Philadelphia Flyers in Lake Tahoe. Now the isles returned the favor to the Bruins.

New York Islanders put up a touchdown on Boston Bruins

We know that Pelech is trying to up his offensive game. Barry Trotz recently indicated that Pelech is trying to get up in the play a bit more (subscription required) than he’s done in previous years. His production (three points in 18 games) this year might not necessarily be more than in previous years, but you’re definitely seeing him ‘activate’ in the O-zone a bit more.

Just like on this opening goal against the Bruins. Pelech gets up into an open area in the O-zone hoping for a rebound or broken play, and sure enough, he gets it.

Even guys, who you think might be type-cast like Adam Pelech is as a defensive defenseman, are adding new elements to their game. That goal was Pelech’s first since November 7, 2019, by the way.

Adding to Boston’s woes was Mathew Barzal who’s having himself a heck of a year so far. Coming down on the rush – thanks to an excellent Nick Leddy pass – Barzal scores his seventh of the season. A scoring pace that would see him return 30 over a full 82 games.

On Nick Leddy. With the departure of Devon Toews, the Isles veteran D was going to have to step up and take on more of a scoring role once again. With the primary helper on Barzal’s goal, Leddy now has eleven points on the year, putting him on pace for 34 points in 56 games or 48 points in a full 82 game. It’s exactly the type of contributions Lou Lamoriello hoped he’d get when he traded Toews to Colorado.

Leddy would add another primary helper later in the third period putting him at 12 points on the season.

The Third Period

The score was 2-2 going into the third period. Shots were 27-16 for the Bruins at 5on5 through 40 minutes. What was about to happen was far from likely.

From 5:41 through to 16:33 in the third, the Isles scored five unanswered goals against former goalie Jaroslav Halak. Beau, Eberle, Pageau (short-handed), Lee, and Wahlstrom all found the back of the net for the Islanders. The best of them was perhaps Beauvillier’s

Beau took the shot, followed up the rebound, and while surrounded by all five Bruins skaters, Beau strips Frederic from behind and tucks the puck under Halak.

Four players had multi-point games for the Isles (Barzal, Lee, Leddy, Pelech) in this win. The win also temporarily vaults them to third and a single point back from the Bruins at the top of the Eastern standings.

Winners

Mathew Barzal (1G, 1A): He was everywhere tonight. Vintage Barzal game.
Anthony Beauvillier (1G [GWG]): He set the ball rolling for the Islanders flurry of scoring.
Adam Pelech (1G, 1A): Big offensive game from the Isles top defensive defenseman.

Losers

Jaroslav Halak (30 SVS, 0.811SV%): Halak wasn’t happy after this one. It’s easy to see why.
Brad Marchand (-2, 1SOG): The mega-pest was MIA today.
Charlie McAvoy (-2, 2SOG): The Long Island native got knocked into last week by Long Island’s captain today.