B’s defense dominates
Rask makes 23 saves for fourth shutout
UNIONDALE, N.Y. — A new winning streak has arrived.
A solid showing against Dallas on Thursday night was followed up by a defensive clinic Saturday afternoon on Long Island, as the Bruins’ blue line contributed seven points and shut down the Islanders for a 4-0 win at Nassau Coliseum.
“Early on we were transporting the puck through the neutral zone, the Islanders play a certain way with the right wing lock so you can move up the left and I thought we took advantage of it,” said Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. “The ice that was available, either got it on attack and got pucks behind them… We’re a pretty mobile group back there and we encourage that.”
The Bruins have now opened a nine-point lead on the Lightning in the Atlantic Division.
Tuukka Rask’s fourth shutout of the season was behind one of the B’s better defensive efforts, in a game where Charlie McAvoy, Torey Krug and Matt Grzelcyk each scored, but also stepped up on the back line.
“I want them to be a part of it, I think that’s encouraging,” said Cassidy. “Some days (Patrice Bergeron)’s line, they’re going to check them hard so the D has to be involved. We certainly encourage that. Not at the cost of trading chances all night, but if there’s an opportunity to keep it alive or join the rush, pick your spots and I think they did a real good job at that.”
Like he has so many times this season — 15 times, to be exact — David Pastrnak gave the Bruins an early lead.
Krug tried to slide the puck to a charging Bergeron, but the B’s center lost an edge and skidded into Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov, leaving a gaping net for Pastrnak. The 24year-old blasted in his 47th goal of the season from the half-wall at 4:30 of the first for a 1-0 lead.
“We’ve always had the green light,” said Krug. “As long as we’re taking care of things in front of the net, (Cassidy) will give us the green light every single time.”
The next goal was even wackier.
The B’s defensemen traded passes at the top of the blue line before Grzelcyk flipped it toward the net, and the puck bounced off Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk in the slot and redirected into the net 13:10 into the game, and the Bruins led 2-0.
Brad Marchand notched his 56th assist on the play, quietly tied for third in the league.
The Bruins had a chance to put it away midway through the second with a 5-on-3 they couldn’t capitalize on, though they killed off two Islanders power plays in that frame as well.
While the Bruins didn’t extend their lead in the middle period, they only allowed four shots from the Islanders the entire frame.
With 8:54 left, Marchand sealed it with his 27th goal of the season and his third in as many games. He wrapped around behind the net and pushed the puck past Varlamov for the 3-0 advantage.
Rask ended the night with 23 saves, including a pointblank stop of Mat Barzal in the third period, flashing out his left leg to stop one of the Islanders best chances of the day.
The Islanders pulled Varlamov with 5:12 left, needing three goals, but took a penalty six seconds in to give the Bruins a late power play, where McAvoy, a Long Island native, made them pay.
With 3:34 left on the clock, McAvoy blasted in his fourth goal of the season on a pass from Krug for a 4-0 lead.
Jeremy Lauzon took a puck up high near the end of the first and left the ice, but returned for the rest of the
game sporting stitches on his chin.
The Bruins continue their road trip in Tampa Bay on Tuesday, a big contest for playoff implications with the B’s holding a seven-point lead in the Atlantic Division. A showing like Saturday’s would put them in a good spot.