The Bruins had a chance on home ice to take control of a closely contested series Monday night. While they controlled much of the game, their penalty kill and some below-average goaltending from Tuukka Rask (who was pulled between the second and third periods for Jeremy Swayman) cost them in a 5-4 loss.
Here are three key takeaway as the Bruins now trail the series, 3-2, and face elimination Wednesday night on Long Island.
1. Inability to extend the lead costs Bruins
After starting the game on fire and completely dominating play, it felt like the game should have been more than a one-goal game, but the Bruins were unable to extend the lead.
David Pastrnak opened the scoring just minutes into the game, but as they always do, the Islanders were able to stay within striking distance. And then they were able to strike when an absolutely terrible penalty call went against the Bruins. Through the first 18 minutes of play, the officials set the standard that they were going to let both teams play. That standard then went completely out the window when Sean Kuraly was whistled down for a “slash” that was less than a love tap. Mathew Barzal of course scored on the power play and tied a game in which the Islanders were out-classed.
A frustrating end to the period for the Bruins, and it would only grow more so early in the second period.
2. Varlamov, penalty kill buries Bruins
As the second period got underway, there was some thought that the refs were due to give Boston a “make-up” call of sorts — that didn’t happen, and in fact the Islanders got the next two power plays and scored on both.
Kyle Palmieri scored on a broken play to give the Islanders a 2-1 lead that would ultimately be erased by a highlight-reel goal from Brad Marchand. After Marchand’s goal, the Bruins stormed the Islanders’ net for five-plus minutes and did everything but score. Semyon Varlamov stood on his head at one end, and Tuukka Rask struggled in his and couldn’t come through with a stop when his team needed him to.
Josh Bailey capitalized on a defensive breakdown in front of Rask to kill Boston’s momentum and enable the Islanders to regain the lead.
Chris Wagner then took an undisciplined roughing penalty when he hit Barzal up high with his stick. That’s when Jordan Eberle beat Rask top shelf to give the Isles a two-goal lead and put the Bruins in an insurmountable deficit against a well-structured Islanders team with elite goaltending.
Yes the first few calls on the Bruins were questionable to say the least, and yes they deserved a few power plays themselves, but Wagner’s penalty was deserved and there was no excuse for going 0-for-3 on the first three penalty kills.
3. Comeback falls short
Entering the third period down 4-2 the Bruins elected to play Jeremy Swayman in relief of Rask. Bruce Cassidy said after the game that pulling Rask was maintenance-related and that the veteran "wasn't 100 percent."
Swayman was tested right away with a breakaway save, but then gave up a point-blank shot from Brock Nelson to extend the Islanders lead to three.
Pastrnak scored his second goal of the game on the power play to bring Boston back within two, but a win still seemed too unlikely for the black and gold — that was, until David Krejci tipped home his second goal of the playoffs to bring Boston within one with time remaining to even the score.
Ultimately, a three-goal deficit against a stingy Islanders team and a goalie as good as Varlamov was indeed too much to overcome and the Bruins now face elimination as they head to Long Island for Game 6.