An Eastern Conference showdown is set for Thursday night in Boston as the New York Islanders face off against the Boston Bruins, with both teams desperate for a win to boost their playoff hopes. The Islanders are coming off a brutal 5-1 loss to the crosstown Rangers on Tuesday, while the Bruins suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 overtime defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs the same night. In their last 10 meetings, the Bruins hold a 7-2-1 advantage, though the Islanders secured a 5-4 overtime victory in their most recent matchup on January 5.
### **Islanders Looking to Bounce Back**
The Islanders were dominated by the Rangers on Tuesday, despite outshooting their rivals 37-18. New York currently sits seventh in the Metropolitan Division with a 25-23-7 record, trailing the division-leading Capitals by 27 points. They are 13 points behind the Devils for the final guaranteed playoff spot and seven points back of the Blue Jackets for the second wild card. Offensively, the Islanders rank 27th in the league, averaging just 2.70 goals per game, while their defense allows 2.98 goals per game, tied for 16th. Their special teams have been a major weakness, with the league’s worst power play (11.3%) and second-worst penalty kill (70.2%).
In their loss to the Rangers, Alexander Romanov scored the Islanders’ lone goal, but Ilya Sorokin struggled in net, stopping only six of 11 shots before being pulled. Jakub Skarek came in relief, saving all seven shots he faced. Sorokin is expected to start against the Bruins as New York looks to rebound.
### **Bruins Aim to Regroup**
The Bruins let a 3-0 lead slip away against Toronto on Tuesday, ultimately falling 5-4 in overtime. Boston is tied for fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 27-24-8 record, 12 points behind the Maple Leafs for the division lead. They are eight points back of the Lightning for the final guaranteed playoff spot and two points behind the Blue Jackets for the second wild card. Offensively, the Bruins rank 25th, averaging 2.76 goals per game, while their defense allows 3.20 goals per game, ranking 24th. Their power play (15.4%) and penalty kill (75.5%) also rank near the bottom of the league.
Against Toronto, David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand gave the Bruins an early 2-0 lead, and Morgan Geekie extended it to 3-0 in the second period. However, Toronto stormed back, tying the game late in regulation before winning in overtime. Jeremy Swayman made 24 saves in the loss and is expected to start against the Islanders.
### **Key Factors**
– **Islanders’ Struggles:** New York’s offense has been inconsistent, and their special teams have been a major liability. They’ll need a strong performance from Sorokin to have a chance against the Bruins.
– **Bruins’ Collapse:** Boston’s inability to hold a 3-0 lead against Toronto highlights their defensive vulnerabilities. They’ll need to tighten up defensively and capitalize on their scoring chances.
### **Prediction**
With both teams fighting for playoff positioning, this game promises to be a hard-fought battle. The Bruins’ home-ice advantage and offensive firepower give them the edge, but the Islanders’ desperation could make this a close contest. Expect Boston to bounce back with a narrow victory, potentially in overtime or a shootout.
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