Bruins at Islanders
The New York Islanders have struggled against the Boston Bruins over the past few seasons, finally ending a seven-game losing streak in the series with a 3-2 shootout road win on Dec. 19. The Islanders will attempt to halt an even longer slide when they host Boston on Saturday night, having dropped eight in a row and 11 of 12 at home to the Bruins.
David Pastrnak, the league's leading goal scorer, is on a white-hot tear for Boston, which has amassed 11 goals in back-to-back victories after managing only four during a three-game skid. "The last few games, I feel like we had a little trouble scoring," Pastrnak said after registering a hat trick in Thursday's 5-4 win over Winnipeg. "It's good to finally be able to put together two games." The Bruins will now play the first of three straight on the road versus Metropolitan Division foes against New York, which also has been struggling offensively before pulling out a 4-3 overtime win at the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday for its second straight victory. Despite their recent history against Boston, the Islanders have feasted on Atlantic Division opponents this season with a 12-2-0 record -- part of a healthy 20-6-1 mark against Eastern Conference rivals.
TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: NHL Network, NESN, MSG-Plus
ABOUT THE BRUINS (26-8-11): Pastrnak erupted for 12 goals in each of the first two months before dipping to five in 15 games in December, but he has tallied six times in four games in January to boost his league-best total to 35 goals. Pastrnak is three shy of matching last season's career-high goal total after scoring nine times and collecting 10 assists during a 12-game point streak. “It’s been good, you know? I don’t overthink anything and just play the same way," Pastrnak said. "It's nice. It’s what I’m here for."
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (27-12-3): Captain Anders Lee said his teammates were gripping their sticks "a little tightly" but he eased the pressure by scoring in Monday's 1-0 win over Colorado before delivering the game-winning tally in the final minute of overtime 24 hours later. Jordan Eberle ended a 10-goal drought with his fourth of the season Tuesday. “If you look at Ebs’ career, he’s been a guy who will get hot and get his goals and there’ll be times when he’ll get a little cold," coach Barry Trotz said. "I’m hoping he gets hot for us."
OVERTIME
1. Bruins G Tuukka Rask is 15-5-1 with a 1.97 goals-against average versus New York.
2. Islanders F Tom Kuhnhackl did not practice Friday but is expected back in the lineup Saturday.
3. Bruins captain Zdeno Chara (jaw) practiced Friday and is expected to play after sitting out Thursday's game.