Post-Game Talk: #3| Boston Bruins @ New York Islanders | January 18th | 5:00 PM | F/W 1-0

MattMartin · Jan 17, 2021

Game Preview: Bruins @ Islanders

BOSTON BRUINS AT NEW YORK ISLANDERS
5PM | NASSAU COLISEUM
WATCH: MSG | MSG+ | MSG GO | NHL.TV
LISTEN: 1050AM | 88.7FM | 103.9FM

After a 5-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday night, the New York Islanders are looking to turn the page when they host the Boston Bruins in their home opener on Monday evening.

Saturday's contest got off to a bad start before the game even began, as Semyon Varlamov was injured during warmups - and didn't improve much beyond that. The Islanders took eight penalties, had four turnovers lead to goals and were out-attempted 65-38. It was an uncharacteristic night from a team with lots of character, so expect a bounce-back effort from a veteran squad.

ISLANDERS NOTES:

- Semyon Varlamov's status is unclear after taking a high shot and leaving Saturday's game during warmups. Barry Trotz did not have an update on his goalie after the game and the team had a day off on Sunday. Stay tuned to @NYIslanders for the latest updates on Varlamov.

- If Varlamov can't go, Ilya Sorokin would be the likely starter against the Bruins. Sorokin made his NHL debut in difficult circumstances, getting pulled into action 30 minutes before puck drop. Sorokin stopped 27-of-32 shots in his debut, though Trotz and his teammates felt they did the rookie goalie a disservice by mismanaging the puck in front of him.
If Sorokin is to start, he'll have the benefit of the extra time to prepare and to go through his proper routine.

- With no practice on Sunday, there were no updates for Monday's lineup. Trotz said before Saturday's game he was considering one or two changes, but opted to go back to the same group, save for the late goalie switch. Check back for lineup updates.

- Monday marks the Islanders home opener. Per Eric Hornick, the Islanders are 28-13-6 all-time in home openers, including 26-12-5 at the Coliseum. The Islanders have lost the past two home openers.

- The Isles are 1-7-2 in the last 10 meetings overall, winning only a shootout game in Boston 13 months ago. The Isles have not beaten the Bruins at home since 2013 (0-9-1, including 0-4-0 at the Coliseum).

- Matt Martin is sitting at 2,997 career hits. Only four active players - including Cal Clutterbuck - have over 3,000 hits.

- The Islanders were shorthanded eight times on Saturday, their most penalties since March 15, 2018. The Islanders went seven-for-eight on the penalty kill vs the Rangers.
- Brock Nelson is four points shy of 300.
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BRUINS NOTES:

- The Bruins are 1-0-1 after splitting a season-opening series with the New Jersey Devils. Boston won its opener 3-2 in a shootout on Thursday and fell 2-1 in OT on Saturday, losing with 1.7 seconds to play in the extra frame.

- The Bruins' defense has a different look this season, as both longtime captain Zdeno Chara and all-star Torey Krug left in free agency. Chara spent 14 seasons and 1,000 games in black and gold, captaining the Bruins to a Stanley Cup in 2011. Krug spent seven full seasons with the Bruins, racking up 337 points (67G, 270A) in 523 games. Chara is now in Washington, while Krug inked a seven-year deal in St. Louis.

With those departures, Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Lauzon make up the Bruins' top pairing, while Brandon Carlo and Matt Grzelcyk are slotted as number two. McAvoy, who led the Bruins in TOI last season, is averaging 26:34 TOI/GP through two games this season.

- David Pastrnak will not play on Monday, as the winger is still recovering from arthroscopic hip surgery. Pastrnak, who led the Bruins with 48 goals and 95 points last season, has been skating in a non-contact jersey with the team and is targeting a February return.
Despite his absence, linemates Brad Marchand (1G, 2A) and new Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron (1G, 1A) have points in each of the Bruins' first two games.

- The Bruins do not have a five-on-five goal through two games this season. Boston has scored twice on the power play and once shorthanded.

- Craig Smith, who signed a three-year deal with Boston, made his Bruins debut on Saturday, skating 17:07 with two shots on goal. Smith played nine seasons with the Nashville Predators, reaching the 20-goal mark in five of the past seven seasons, while also posting 18 in last year's abbreviated campaign. Smith did not practice on Sunday, but if he plays, he'll be on the Bruins third line with Charlie Coyle and Andres Bjork.

- Ondrej Kase left Saturday's game in the first period with an upper-body injury and did not return. Bruins' coach Bruce Cassidy called Kase "doubtful" for Monday, per Eric Russo of the Bruins official site.
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Possible Starting Goalies:

Tuukka Rask

*Confirmed*

Bruins
Player	GP	GS	W	L	T	OT	SA	GA	GAA	S	SV%	SO	MIN
Tuukka Rask	1	1	1	0	0	0	22	2	1.85	20	.909	0	65
Jaroslav Halak	1	1	0	0	0	1	31	2	1.85	29	.935	0	65