Islanders 5, Bruins 4 (OT): Horvat bookends the scoring as Isles snap losing streak

Bo Horvat and Anders Lee each scored two, while Ryan Pulock picked up three points in a big Isles win.

The New York Islanders played an overall solid game in Boston, responding well to adversity, including an early Bruins goal into a coach’s challenge-triggered penalty. Despite the typical third period meltdown (David Pastrnak scored twice in the third to tie the game), the Islanders were able to pick up two points on the road, thanks to big games from Bo Horvat, Anders Lee, Ryan Pulock, and Ilya Sorokin making some critical saves.

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First Period

Just three minutes in, Mark Kastelic put the puck in off Cole Koepke’s arm, giving the Bruins a 1-0 lead. Koepke was in the crease, and the Islanders challenged for goaltender interference, but it was ruled a good goal, sending the Islanders to the penalty kill due to the failed challenge.

But just 21 seconds later, Ryan Pulock intercepted the puck, and got it to JG Pageau, who passed it off to Bo Horvat, who scored to tie the game shorthanded.

Then, three minutes later, Ryan Pulock took a shot that changed direction (originally, they said it was tipped in by Anders Lee, but they changed the scoring back to Pulock) to give the Islanders a 2-1 lead.

Then, Brock Nelson had a chance but Joonas Korpisalo made the save. The Islanders were putting all the pressure on the Bruins after the PK, but then a dangerous Scott Mayfield turnover gave Brandon Carlo a good chance on goal that Ilya Sorokin saved.

Sorokin also made great saves on a Marchand attempt after a friendly bounce for the Bruins.

Max Tsyplakov and Anders Lee had chances on Korpisalo, and at the end of the period, Sorokin stood tall despite some offensive pressure from the Bruins and some help from Anthony Duclair, who blocked a David Pastrnak shot.

Second Period

Lee makes it 3-1 a little under 5 minutes in, putting the puck past Korpisalo and into the toy department on a clean shot.

Justin Brazeau got in front of Bo Horvat and got a clean shot he was able to put past Sorokin to make it 3-2.

Korpisalo made two big saves after the goal to keep the Bruins within one. Then, Pastrnak got past Adam Pelech but Sorokin was able to poke check Pastrnak to stop him.

Lee ties up Trent Frederic’s stick, causing him to trip into the boards. There was a penalty called on the play, but then the refs changed their minds, keeping the teams at even strength.

Sorokin made a save on Pavel Zacha after they let a tripping penalty on the Bruins go uncalled that led to the great chance to close out the period.

Third Period

Once again, early in the period, Anders Lee scored to give the Isles a two-goal lead back. Pulock got him the puck in front, and then Lee put it past Korpisalo in tight.

Almost immediately after, Pastrnak got the Bruins back within one again with a one timer after a bad play by Pageau.

Wahlstrom took a short-side shot that Sorokin turned away after the Isles couldn’t clear the zone amidst Boston pressure.

Then, Pastrnak picked up his second of the game to tie it. Zacha made a cross ice pass that Pastrnak was able to pick up, getting his stick in front of Alex Romanov’s.

The Isles manage to hold on despite the shift in momentum, and would guarantee at least one point headed into overtime.

Overtime

Sorokin made saves on Pastrnak, Marchand, and Zadorov as the Bruins dominated overtime. Sorokin made a huge save on Marchand, and Horvat picked up the puck off the rebound, getting a breakaway and just getting it past Korpisalo for the 5-4 win, snapping the losing streak and earning a big two points.

Up Next

Next, the Islanders head to Las Vegas to take on the Golden Knights on Thursday, January 9th.