Red-hot Bruins visit the Islanders
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Things are going so well for the Boston Bruins right now that one goal with their backup goaltender in net was enough to stretch their winning streak to seven games.
Following a perfect five-game homestand, the defending Stanley Cup champions kick off a three-game road trip this evening versus the New York Islanders.
The Bruins have been on a tear since their 3-7-0 start, outscoring opponents 36-14 over their winning streak. That includes a perfect 5-0 homestand, their first since Nov. 29-Dec. 11, 1986.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A win tonight would give Boston its longest overall winning streak since a 10- game run from Dec. 12, 2008-Jan. 1, 2009.
After scoring at least five goals over the first five games of their win streak, the Bruins squeaked out a 4-3 win over the Devils on Nov. 15 and then posted a shootout victory on Thursday. Adam McQuaid scored the lone regulation goal and both Rich Peverley and David Krejci had shootout tallies in a 2-1 win.
Tuukka Rask made 30 saves and stopped two of three skaters in the breakaway session, including Antoine Vermette in the third round.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Tuukka's been great for us throughout the year and again tonight," said Boston forward Patrice Bergeron.
Boston forward Daniel Paille returned to the lineup after sitting out the previous three games following surgery to repair a broken nose suffered when struck by a puck.
The Islanders haven't won back-to-back games since a three-game win streak from Oct. 10-15 and snapped a string of four losses in a row on Thursday with a 4-3 win over the Canadiens. Matt Moulson, P.A. Parenteau, Jay Pandolfo and Mark Streit all scored during a four-goal second period.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Pandolfo scored his first goal as an Islander and it was the 100th of his career as New York won for only the second time in 12 games.
"It was interesting at the end, but we battled and played some good hockey tonight," Islanders head coach Jack Capuano said.
Evgeni Nabokov started in net but left the game in the first period with a groin injury. He made two saves before Rick DiPietro came on to make 24 stops.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York concludes a three-game homestand this evening.
The Bruins have won five of six and 12 of their last 15 meetings with the Islanders, going 5-1-1 in their last seven trips to Long Island.