In Boston, the New York Islanders took home ice advantage from the Bruins when
Casey Cizikas scored the OT winner for the New York Islanders
Casey Cizikas scored an unassisted breakaway for the game-winner in overtime on Monday night.
“It’s been a real long time,” Cizikas said. “You’re just trying to do the right things in overtime, be in the right spots. I was lucky enough for that puck to pop off in the middle there and give me an opportunity to get that one.
“You definitely think about it. You want to contribute, you want to score goals. But at the end of the day, that’s not our line’s (Cizikas, Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck) goal. We want to create havoc out there, we want to create momentum for the line after us and put them in good spots. It was definitely nice, but we’re going to keep working, we’re going to keep doing what makes us successful as a line, and that’s working hard and grinding it out.”
Semyon Varlamov made 39 saves to get the 4-3 win.
“It was a pretty easy decision,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. “We have two really good goaltenders. … [Varlamov’s] a veteran, he’s not scared of these moments and he’s been a rock for us all year.”
The Isles held a 3-1 lead entering the third period; they scored three times in the middle frame.
Game 3 is set for Uniondale on Thursday.
“It’s going to be exciting,” Cizikas said. “We know how that barn rocks, and we’re going to build off of that crowd and we’re looking forward to it.”
Charlie Coyle staked the Bruins to a 1-0 lead in the first period.
The Isles’ rally in the second period featured goals from Josh Bailey, Kyle Palmieri and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand scored in the third period for Boston to even the game at 3-3 and force the extra session.
“Third period was better where we went low-to-high, getting that part of our offense activated and involved,” Boston head coach Bruce Cassidy said. “We did a better job, but not good enough early on, and obviously at the end it cost us.”
The game-winner came off a turnover by Bruins defenseman Jeremy Lauzon at the Islanders’ blueline.
“[Stuff] happens,” Marchand said of Lauzon’s turnover. “He’s a great player for us. He competes very hard and he’s out there every night working his butt off and competing for the group. We all make mistakes, we’ve all been there. It’s tough when it happens to you, but we’re going to bounce back. It’s not the end of the world, it’s 1-1 and we’ve just to work with that next one.
“It’s all about how we regroup in here and move forward. That’s the thing about playoffs, you’ve got to kind of be like an elephant and have a quick memory and just worry about the next day.”
New York was 2-for-3 on the power play, Boston had one goal on two chances.
Tuukka Rask made 35 saves in the loss.
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