With their overtime win in Game 2, the Islanders accomplished exactly what they set out to do in Boston — win at least one of the first two games on the road and grab home-ice advantage in the series.
With the series tied 1-1, the best-of-seven series is now a best-of-five with three of the potentially five remaining games at Nassau Coliseum. However, there is a see-saw element to playoff hockey, and the Bruins can regain both momentum and home-ice by returning the favor and winning at least one of their next two away games.
With Games 3 and 4 being played in front of 12,000 tumultuous Islanders fans, the Bruins will look to lean on experience while exercising a “been there, done that” mentality.
Veteran players such as Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Krejci and Tuukka Rask have a decade-plus of playoff experience, and even many of the younger players such as Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak, Matt Grzelcyk, Brandon Carlo, Jake DeBrusk, Charlie Coyle, Sean Kuraly, Connor Clifton and others have garnered significant experience over the last few seasons.
Since 2019, the Bruins are 10-4 in their last 14 road playoff games (not counting any of the bubble games last year) — many of those in similar environments to what awaits them on Long Island.
During their deep playoff run in 2019, the Bruins staved off elimination not once, but twice on the road -- Round 1, Game 6 against the Maple Leafs in Toronto and then Round 4, Game 6 against the Blues in St. Louis.
Sandwiched between their series against Toronto and St. Louis, the Bruins defeated the Blue Jackets twice in Columbus — once to avoid going down 3-1 in the series and again to win the series 4-2 — and then they ousted the Hurricanes twice in Carolina to complete a sweep. Boston ended the 2019 playoffs with an impressive 8-3 record on the road.
In this year’s opening round, the Bruins won two of their three games in Washington.
Simply put, the Bruins are as capable of winning on the road in the playoffs as they are at home. As the visiting team, this current core has staved off elimination together, evened series together rather than digging a deeper hole, and they’ve advanced to next rounds together.
The point is this: They've been through it all as a team. They’re deep, talented, mentally tough, well-coached and won’t be intimidated or overwhelmed by the moment.
Nassau Coliseum may certainly give the Islanders an added boost, but it shouldn't necessarily rattle the Bruins or hinder them from executing their game.
Islanders fans will be salivating for offense early, but their excitement can quickly turn to anxiety if the game doesn’t play out as expected. If the Islanders don’t find success right away, or if the Bruins strike first and implement their game more often, the home crowd can become restless and the home team can become frustrated.
Boston’s depth, skill and experience may be the perfect formula to silence the Islanders and their crowd.
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