Preview: Bruins Invade Barclays, Face Red-Hot Islanders

Just the Facts:

Game Time: 7:30 PM

TV Broadcast: NESN, TVA, MSG+

Radio Broadcast: 98.5 The Sports Hub

Rival SB Nation Site: Lighthouse Hockey

Series Record: Bruins 0-0-0 vs. Islanders

Season Record: Bruins 2-3-1, 5 points | Islanders 4-1-1, 9 points

Game Notes

After a three-game road trip in which the Bruins went undefeated, they blew a two-goal lead in the 3rd Period of Wednesday's #RivalryGame against the Philadelphia Flyers, before submitting the game-winning powerplay goal in overtime. The Bruins have allowed 15 goals in four games on home ice, going 0-3-1 in that span. But on the road it's been an entirely different story. In two games the Bruins have scored 11 goals, allowing just 5 on the back end. They've also scored three road goals on their powerplay, which currently sits at FIRST THE BRUINS ARE FIRST ON THE POWERPLAY.

The problem remains their defense and goaltending, as the team sits 29th out of 30 teams in Goals Allowed on the year. Rask has had to be better than perfect with the defensive lapses that are a nightly bi-period occurrence on this team, and frankly he has been fairly human. The turnovers in their own end are killing their chances, and now the team faces an offense with an Art Ross runner-up driving the ship, and a 3rd & 4th line full of aggressive forecheckers & grinders.

Meanwhile on the Isle, the New York Islanders have settled into their new home in Brooklyn quite nicely, as they sit tied for 1st in the Metropolitan Division with 9 points. John Tavares has picked up his scoring where he left off last year, helping the team go undefeated against all opponents who didn't win a Stanley Cup last year, while guys like Kyle Okposo, Brock Nelson, and Anders Lee continue to grow into playmakers. The team has come away with points in every home game so far this season, going 3-0-1, and in their last four games have outscored their opponents 18-to-8, knocking off three previously-unbeaten teams.

Not to be ignored is their defensive play this season, as the Islanders are 14th in Goals Allowed, but 6th in the league on the penalty kill, and 2nd in the league in faceoffs, and that's all with Nick Leddy in the midst of a slump to start the year. In net, Jaroslav Halak has come back from his preseason injury with vengeance, currently 2-0-0 in his two starts with a .952 SV% and 1.50 GAA. His backup, former Penguin Thomas Greiss, has been very consistent as well, helping the team tread water in Halak's absence with a 2-0-1 record and .925 SV%.

Point of advice, if you're a Bruins fan going to the game tonight, try finding a ticket with an obstructed view, 'cause you might not like what you're seeing.

Never Forget:

Battle of the Unexpected: Torey Krug's 2nd career NHL fight against the Islander's Ryan Strome, his 1st career bout.

Advanced Stats

Last game against the Philadelphia Flyers, per War-On-Ice.