RECAP: Bruins collapse in third period, drop 7-2 to Islanders

The Boston Bruins dropped their third game of the season to the Islanders, as five unanswered goals and a complete breakdown in the third period handed the team a 7-2 loss tonight at Nassau Coliseum.

The Bruins got on the board early at 1:02 in the first period. Charlie Coyle found Jakub Zboril pinching down low. In the right-wing circle, Zboril backhanded a pass to Ritchie who had a wide-open net and put a one-timer past Semyon Varlamov, making the score 1-0.

The Islander answered back with a goal at 3:16 in the first period. Casey Cizikas took a shot from the high right boards. Matt Martin deflected the shot where skating down low in the left-wing circle, Adam Pelech picked up the loose puck and put a one-timer, top shelf over Jaroslav Halak’s glove, tying the game at 1-1.

The Islanders took the lead at 12:39 in the first period. A breakdown of the Bruins defense in the neutral zone led Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle on a 2-on-1 against John Moore. Inside the left face-off circle, Barzal let a wrist shot fly over Halak’s glove, making the score 2-1.

THE SECOND PERIOD WAS GOOD! And here are some positive takeaways, before the disaster better known as the third period happened.

The Bruins got the first power play of the night a minute into the second period. Craig Smith, Charlie Coyle and John Moore set up a nice triangle on the second unit for some chances even though nothing came to fruition. Shortly after, the Islanders took control of the momentum for what seemed like forever in the Bruins defensive zone, as the Bs had a hard time getting the puck out and breaking up the Isles’ D to D passes.

But a breakaway by Jake DeBrusk and penalty kill shifted the game back in the Bruins favor. Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand create opportunities on the kill. Defensively, they disrupt plays and poke-check the puck. But they create offense at the same time and don’t just dump the puck.

Craig Smith tied the game for the Bruins at 11:36 in the second period. Smith caught a pass from Jake DeBrusk and knocked the puck down to pass to himself in the neutral zone. Skating down the left boards, Smith looked to pass to Jack Studnicka crashing the net, where it hit Martin’s stick and deflected past Varlamov’s stick, tying the game at 2-2.

YAY TIE GAME TO END THE SECOND PERIOD!

Well, that was it for anything good happening for the Bruins. To start the first half of the third period, the Bruins were outshot 9-5. And then the flood gates opened.

First, Anthony Beauvillier capitalized on Trent Frederic taking his time to clear the puck in front of Halak. 3-2 Islanders. It was still early in the period at 5:41.

Then Eberle gave the Islanders not only a two-goal lead but also a bit of a meltdown to Halak. This time, Eberle scored on a 2-on-1 off a pass from Barzal. 4-2 Islanders.

OH and the Bruins had a power play next, but Jean-Gabriel Pageau flew down the slot on a breakaway and scored shorthanded. 5-2...Islanders.

The collapse continued with a goal from Anders Lee at 14:44. Lee tapped the puck in at the crease for the Islanders’ third goal in 3:59 minutes. 6-2. Almost done here I promise.

Oliver Wahlstrom put in a rebound from Ryan Pulock’s shot to round out the Islanders’ 7-2 win at 16:33 in the third period.

Five unanswered goals. YIKES. The Bruins were outshot 18-8 in the third to put the icing on the cake.

Here’s hoping the guys have already forgotten about this one and focus on tomorrow’s game against the New York Rangers.

Game notes

• David Pastrnak skated in his 400th game
• Pageau has scored against the Bruins in each game this season
• Goalie assist! Varlamov registered a point on Barzal’s goal
• The Bruins are 0-3 against the Islanders and 0-3 against the Coliseum