Boston Bruins vs. New York Islanders Game 4 Prediction, Playoff Odds
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Nik Kowalski
A 2-1 defensive joust was inevitable at some point in this series, given the playing style and goaltending of both the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders. The joust in Game 3 ended with Brad Marchand’s wrister from a near impossible angle at 3:36 of overtime putting a sour finish on Semyon Varlamov and the Islanders, who came out strong in extra time.
The Bruins now have a 2-1 series advantage, giving New York a taste of their own medicine by winning on the road in overtime. Game 4 goes Saturday night in Uniondale at 7:15 p.m. EST.
Bruins vs. Islanders Stanley Cup Odds
Alas, and under hit in this series with ease. After seven combined goals in each of Games 1 and 2 both teams, mainly Tuukka Rask and Varlamov, shut it down and played first to two in Game 3. Rask’s 28 saves earned him first star honours while Varlamov stopped 39 of 41 shots to even get New York to overtime.
The total has gone under in 10 of New York’s last 15 homes and four of Boston’s last five road games meaning goals may come at a premium again. Oddsmakers have Boston as a -153 moneyline favourite with the over-under back at five.
Boston Bruins
Craig Smith re-entered the Bruins’ lineup in Game 3 after missing Game 2 and made his presence known early with the game’s opening-goal, his second of the post-season. But as Smith is back, another Bruin will likely be out for Game 4 in defenceman Brandon Carlo.
The second-pair defenceman suffered an upper-body injury and is listed as day-to-day. Boston’s already without defenceman Kevan Miller, so if Carlo can’t go it’ll likely be Jarred Tinordi stepping in for his second game of the playoffs.
Marchand’s overtime-winner in Game 3 was his fifth goal of the playoffs, tying him for the team lead with David Pastrnak. It’s Pastrnak who’s atop Boston’s point-getters these playoffs too, with 10 in eight games.
New York Islanders
Mathew Barzal’s on the board in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Islanders’ top point-getter, and second-highest scorer this season still hadn’t lit the lamp these playoffs but came through in the clutch in Game 3 with a game-tying tally with under six minutes to go. Obviously Barzal was the only Islander to score Thursday and it wasn’t enough to win, but still an encouraging sign for a team with the star in a scoring slump.
The Islanders failed to capitalize on three power-play attempts in Game 3 (after converting twice in Game 2) including a man advantage with 2:15 to go in the third period. From this point on, the Islanders need to make the most of all the chances they get.
BOS
NYI