For the third time in as many games this season, the Bruins lost to the Islanders on Long Island. This time it came in blowout fashion -- a first for these Bruins -- with New York scoring five times in a disastrous third period and running away with a 7-2 win.
Here are three key takeaways:
1. Rookie mistake opens the floodgates
Part of gaining valuable pro experience is making mistakes and learning from them.
One game after scoring his first NHL goal in Lake Tahoe, Trent Frederic is now learning the meaning of not getting too high in success or too low in failure.
With the game tied at two heading into the third period, Frederic had his pocket picked by Anthony Beauvillier, leading directly to a 3-2 lead for the Isles.
The biggest differences between the NHL and the minors is the skill level and pace of play. Frederic held on to the puck for just a split second too long and instead of completing a breakout pass as he may have been able to in the AHL, it ended up in the back of his own net in the NHL.
One mistake certainly didn't cost the Bruins the game as they had 40-plus minutes of play to earn a lead, but after the Frederic blunder the Bruins seemed disinterested and the floodgates were open.
2. Bergeron line struggles against playoff-caliber coverage
It's no coincidence that the Bruins have struggled against the Islanders so far this season.
The Islanders play a well-structured and tight-checking style of hockey, eliminating time and space from their opponents.
Islanders coach Barry Trotz matched up his fourth line of Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck against the Bruins' top line, and they did well to hold Boston's stars off the score sheet.
It's worth mentioning that Jean-Gabriel Pageau also skated shifts against Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak after Clutterbuck left the game due to injury.
The Islanders focused on Pastrnak in particular, as they did everything they could to get the star winger off his game.
Pastrnak's back was often met with short crosschecks behind the play and the Islanders made No. 88 earn his space on the ice.
While it's enjoyable to watch Pastrnak score a hat trick against a defensively challenged Flyers team in Lake Tahoe, goals won't be that easy to come by in the postseason.
The Bruins will be wise to learn some lessons in this defeat to the Islanders about what it will take to earn time, space and scoring opportunities against teams that are sound defensively.
3. Bjork-Studnicka-DeBrusk line showing potential
While losing David Krejci to injury hasn't been ideal for the Bruins, a young and speedy line has emerged in the absence of their number two center.
Jack Studnicka, Jake DeBrusk and Anders Bjork looked good during their first game together in Lake Tahoe, and showed even more promise against a stingy Islanders team.
At an average age of 23 years old, this young combination of forwards all possess the speed and skill to be an effective and productive trio for the Bruins.
Thursday night their forechecking was particularly noticeable as their speed and anticipation gave the Islanders defensemen fits.
It's been a struggle for DeBrusk and Bjork finding the back of the net with just two goals between them — that said, Studnicka's speed is much more catered towards their style of play as opposed to playing alongside Krejci, who tends to slow the game down.
As a result, scoring chances were created.
Studnicka was robbed of a goal in the first period, shooting a rebound off the crossbar, and then his net drive impacted Craig Smith's tying goal in the second period.
DeBrusk was credited with an assist on the Smith goal and nearly scored on a breakaway of his own created by pursuing a blocked shot.
Krejci's inevitable return to the lineup will likely break this combination up, but until then it will be interesting to see if this trio can produce more than a strong forecheck and a few scoring opportunities.
