For the first time in 383 days the Bruins played a hockey game inside TD Garden in front of their fans. It wasn’t the usual sellout of 17,565, instead a “COVID sellout… of 2,191.
“It's not going to replace 18,000, but it's nice to hear them again. Unfortunately, we couldn't send them home in a better mood,… said head coach Bruce Cassidy.
“There were some good pockets of hockey for them. Some other pockets they were probably disappointed and frustrated. We are as well. Hopefully Saturday we'll give them more to cheer about."
The Bruins jumped out to a 2-0 lead behind goals by Karson Kuhlman and Steven Kampfer—both their first goals of the season.
But that’s where things broke down for the Bruins. Failing to capitalize on a four-minute power play that could have extended their lead to three, the Islanders cut the Bruins lead in half as the penalty expired.
Just like that, momentum was gone.
"We had a 2-0 lead, got some secondary scoring, second-unit power play, Kuhly," said Cassidy.
"Didn't defend well enough in front of our net. They finished around the front of the net, we could have been harder, could have used an extra stop.…
54 seconds after Oliver Wahlstrom gave the Islanders their first lead of the night late in the third period, Anders Bjork’s second of the year tied the game, treating the fans in attendance to some free hockey.
But overtime didn’t last long as Anthony Beauvillier tapped home a loose puck that trickled through goalie Jaroslav Halak.
"We talked about it before the third, they're a good third-period team," said Kampfer. "We had some mental lapses there and it cost us and we didn't win the game. That's on us in the room to make sure that we come out; we've got to be ready for everything they throw at us. We were a couple bounces too short."
Tuukka Rask made his first start since Mar 7, but did not come out of the locker room after the first period. He was seen in some discomfort leaving the ice after the first period.
"Upper-body, no idea after that," said Cassidy. "He left, I haven't seen him since. Obviously just got down here. Probably have a much better update [on Friday] for you."
The Bruins fall to 0-3-2 against the division-leading Islanders, a team that the Bruins simply just cannot beat.
David Pastrnak, David Krejci and Craig Smith were all removed from the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list in time to return for Thursday’s contest. Sean Kuraly and Jake DeBrusk remain on the list.
While the Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Pastrnak line was kept off the board, the Bruins finally got some much needed secondary scoring.
The line of Anders Bjork, Charlie Coyle and Kuhlman was their best. Unfortunately for the Bruins, the line didn’t get the chance to finish the game together as Kuhlman left the game in the third period after one shift, taking a puck to the hand.
In the 6:58 of five-on-five ice time the Coyle line saw together the Bruins had the advantage in:
Shot attempts: 10-3 Shots on goal: 7-2 Scoring chances: 5-1 High-danger scoring chances: 1-0
"Charlie was great, he was all over the ice tonight. He was fun to play with, our line was bringing a lot of good energy,… said Bjork. “Tough for [Kuhlman] he was great, had the great goal, there were some positives for our line. Charlie definitely drove the ship there."
It’s a good time to get fans back as Friday kicked off a seven-game homestand for the Bruins. They hope with some support inside the building, things will get back on track.
"I don't think other places have it quite as special as we do. Something that makes all of us proud to wear the Bruins logo,… Bjork said of Bruins fans.
"Especially when we're at home, we're never out of a game. That's in part due to our fans because they're providing that energy and we all want to do it for them, do it for each other."