In Boston, the Bruins mustered just enough late game heroics to force overtime on Thursday.
The magic ran out out in the skills competition as the New York Islanders skated off with a 3-2 win on Thursday night.
Semyon Varlamov made 27 saves in a bounce back win after losing their last game, 8-3.
“It was important for us to bounce back after that game,” Varlamov said. “That game was just garbage. I thought we played well actually against Nashville, we just gave up like every goal on every shot. Things happen that way, it’s a long season, but for us it’s very important today to win this game and then grow our confidence back.”
Boston’s Torey Krug struck for a power play goal in the early minutes of the third period to get the teams even at 2-2.
“Well, clearly we got to our game in the third [period] in terms of urgency to win puck battles, races, go to the net, put pucks at the net so people to go to the net,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “At the other end, I thought we had a little bit more conviction in front of our net. … We didn’t do enough of that in the first and second period, tried to address it at the start of the third and we were good.”
Johnny Boychuk and Mathew Barzal scored for the Isles in regulation, Barzal had a strike in the shootout.
“That’s for sure one of the best teams in the League,” Barzal said. “[A] Stanley Cup contender. So for us to stay level with them all night and push the pace for some of the night, that says something about this group.”
Anders Bjork also scored for the Bruins.
[WATCH:Â All Islanders vs. Bruins highlights]
Tuukka Rask made 19 saves in the loss.
“We know how we have to play to win games,” the Bruins’ David Krejci said. “We also know that every time teams come to this building, they play their A-game. We know that, but we just weren’t ready tonight.”
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