The New York Islanders Drop Game 1 To The Boston Bruins
from Neil Besr of Newsday,
Boston’s "Perfection Line" lived up to its hype and more, led by David Pastrnak’s hat trick. But their most eye-opening statistic was this one: Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand combined for 19 shots on goal. Nineteen!
The Islanders had 22 as a team, and their sputtering top line of Leo Komarov, Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle totaled three.
Barry Trotz said he thought his first line was "OK," but he did not rule out changes in advance of Game 2 on Monday.
The Islanders seemed mildly annoyed when reminded by reporters of the Bruins’ shots-on-goal edge, but they did not deny they must improve.
"They’re a volume-shooting team," defenseman Andy Greene said. "They shoot from a lot of bad angles to try to create havoc and traffic in front there. But at the same time, it’s probably something we can do a little bit better."...
Defending the "Perfection Line" does not require perfection, but it will require far more than what the Islanders accomplished in Game 1.
Sorokin had another strong game in goal, but he gave up too many rebounds, and on several occasions lost track of where the puck was after saves. He figures to get the start in Game 2, and should.
As for Pastrnak and friends, the Islanders must give them far less room to operate.
"We’ve got to challenge them a little bit more," Trotz said. "We backed off . . . We have to tighten up there."
more...
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