Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

ELMONT, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 15: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his powerplay goal against the New York Islanders at 17:26 of the second period at UBS Arena on December 15, 2023 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Boston Bruins came back from multiple deficits against the New York Islanders on Friday night, then finished off the comeback win in a shootout by a 5-4 final at UBS Arena. David Pastrnak scored the walkoff goal in the shootout with a rocket of a shot past Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin.

Boston’s Linus Ullmark stopped 33 of 37 Islanders shots on the night, including 25-of-27 at even strength, and kept the Bruins in the game early on with 15 first-period saves. Five of the eight regulation goals were scored on the power play. The B’s escaped with two points despite being out-shot in the game and never holding a lead in regulation.

Boston improved to 19-5-4 on the season, extending their Atlantic Division lead.

Bruins-Islanders Highlights

The Islanders out-shot the Bruins 15-9 in the first period, with a 7-1 advantage in high-danger scoring chances at 5-on-5, but couldn’t solve Ullmark until the second period.

Center Bo Horvat won the faceoff against Morgan Geekie, then Mat Barzal snatched the loose puck and backhanded it to an open Alexander Romanov, who fired his clean look past Ullmark glove-side to make it 1-0 Isles.

  • Romanov thought he had his second goal later in the period, but it was quickly waved off due to goaltender interference. Minutes prior to that rush, Ullmark robbed Kyle Palmieri on a cross-ice one-timer down low.

  • It was J.G. Pageau who would capitalize next. The Isles forward took it away from Bruins defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk as he mishandled at the point, leading to a 2-on-1 and a slick finish by Simon Holmstrom to make it 2-0.

  • However, Ullmark stopped Pageau and Holmstrom again on shorthanded bids with a dazzling two-save sequence. That ended up leading to the Bruins’ first goal of the night.

  • Taking it the other way on the power play, Morgan Geekie finished from the slot off assists from Brad Marchand and James van Riemsdyk to cut the deficit to 2-1. Playing a bigger role amid an injury to Pavel Zacha, Geekie now has a point in three straight games.

  • The Bruins got another power play thanks to a too many men on the ice penalty by the Islanders. David Pastrnak made them pay.

    After sustaining zone time despite pressure from the Isles’ PK, Shattenkirk made a heads-up seam pass to an open Pastrnak, who did the rest for his 17th goal of the season and a tie game.

  • The Bruins found a groove offensively at 5-on-5 in the third period, but the Islanders would be the next team to cash in, and on a power play. This time, Horvat did the scoring, beating Ullmark from almost the same spot that Geekie had beaten Ilya Sorokin for his goal. Horvat’s 11th of the season gave the Isles a 3-2 lead.

  • Brad Marchand nearly had the tying goal, but it got called back on review after the officials determined that the puck went in off Marchand’s glove.

    But Marchand did draw a penalty on the play, giving the B’s another power play, and another that they turned into a goal. This one went to van Riemsdyk, who tipped it in for his sixth of the season.

  • The Islanders would get that right back. In yet another power play conversion, New York’s Brock Nelson one-timed the puck after it caromed off the end boards to give his team a 4-3 lead.

  • But, in a miraculous twist, Bruins rookie defenseman Mason Lohrei tied the game from a seemingly impossible angle. Lohrei won a puck battle below the goal line then fired the puck toward the net, and got the bounce he needed to make it 4-4.

  • Pastrnak’s shootout goal was a deceptive shot, holding the puck behind his right hip before ripping it from a tough angle. Sorokin didn’t have a chance.

    Up Next: The Bruins have a tough turnaround, as they will travel back to Boston and play the second night of a back-to-back against the New York Rangers on Saturday night at TD Garden.

    Get complete Boston Bruins coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

    Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content.

Get The 98.5 The Sports Hub Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Stay up to date with the latest Boston sports news and analysis, local events, exclusive contests, and more.

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.