The Boston Bruins (22-4-1), one of the NHL’s top power play offenses, welcome the New York Islanders (17-12-0) and their suffocating penalty killing defense at TD Garden on Tuesday. New York is kicking off a five-game road trip coming off a 3-0 loss against the Hurricanes on Saturday.
The Islanders committed only two penalties in the game, holding Carolina without a power play goal. Ilya Sorokin saved only 26 of 29 shots against (.896%) in the loss.
Boston is playing the first of five games at home after a 3-1 win over the Golden Knights on Sunday. Patrice Bergeron, Jake DeBrusk, and Charlie Coyle scored one apiece for the Bruins. Linus Ullmark was impressive in the win, making 30 saves (.967%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Islanders won two of the three games between the teams last season, although the Bruins were 6-3 victors in their final meeting in March. Taylor Hall and Brad Marchand each had three points (1G 2A) to lead Boston. Anders Lee led New York with two points (1G 1A). Ullmark got the win despite saving only 24 of 27 shots (.888%).
FACING OFF
New York is averaging 3.17 goals per game for the season, 15th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Bruins team that is allowing just 2.11 goals a game (1st). Meanwhile, Boston has found the net 3.89 times a game on average, first in the league, and the Islanders are allowing opponents to score 2.76 goals per game (7th).
Boston averages more shots a game (35.0) than most teams in the league, ranking third, while the team’s 11.2% shooting percentage is seventh. New York has been one of the league’s better shot-stopping teams, ranking No. 3 with a team save percentage of .922%.
The Bruins’ third-ranked power play offense (28.16%) will face a tough test against the Islanders, who are the league’s fifth-best penalty killing team (82.02%). New York, meanwhile, has scored on 22.99% of their power play opportunities (14th), which the visitors will be seeking to add to against Boston’s NHL-best 85.44% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson have been the top skaters for the Islanders this season with 30 and 28 points. Barzal is among the league leaders with his 27 assists (4th). In the net, Sorokin (10-9-0) is New York’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.36 GAA and a .925% save percentage, fifth-best in the league.
David Pastrnak leads the Bruins in scoring with 38 points (7th in the league). He has 19 goals (5th in the league) and 19 assists. Ullmark (15-1-0) has the best goals against average for Boston at 1.82, best in the league. He has a save percentage of .939%, also best.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 8-6-0 away from UBS Arena this season. Boston has yet to lose at TD Garden this season in 15 games.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Over 5.5 (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
