The Upshot: Islanders earn a hard fought point in shootout loss against Boston

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Islanders started their five-game road trip by earning a point in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Tuesday. Josh Bailey and Noah Dobson each had a goal and assist for the Isles (17-12-1), who got 30 saves from Semyon Varlamov. Casey Cizikas scored a third-period goal to tie the game, and Brock Nelson had two assists.

Jake DeBrusk scored twice, added an assist, and scored in the shootout. Linus Ullmark made 23 saves for Boston (23-4-1) in the win as they improved to 6-1-1 in their last eight games.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

The team started strong against a Bruins team that was playing their first game back at home after a west coast trip, but despite that they fell behind 2-0. Coming off the 3-0 loss to Carolina, the team kept with it and rallied to tie the game at 2-2 and then again in the third period.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The power play hasn't been a problem for most of the season, but it was late in the second period with the game tied at 2-2 and the Isles looking to take the lead. The Bruins penalty kill is among the best in the league and the Islanders looked completely out of sync and were unable to even gain possesion at times with the man advantage.

The Bruins created multiple chances leading to Derek Forbort putting the Bruins back in front 3-2 with a short-handed goal at 18:28.

STATS OF THE GAME

Per NHL PR, Casey Cizikas helped the Islanders tie the game for the second time. Their 41 third-period goals are tied with the Oilers for the most among all teams this season. The Bruins (42) are the only club with more.

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME

MSG Network’s Shannon Hogan announced she expecting her second child during the broadcast. AJ Mleczko (who has four!) passed along congratulations, and Shannon shared the news on social media with a Santa pick of her daughter, who will now take on big sister duties.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Islanders will be next on the ice on Friday, Dec. 16, on campus at Arizona State's Mullett Arena as they take on the Arizona Coyotes. Face-off is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET.