BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 28: Sean Kuraly #52 of the Boston Bruins reacts to the second-period goal against the New York Islanders at the TD Garden on October 28, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
BOSTON — For the second time in four days, the Islanders held a two-goal lead and appeared to be in control of an important road game. Yet, for the second time in four outings, they failed to leave the building with two points in hand.
This latest setback, against the Bruins who were coming off a blowout loss the night before and whose coach had publicly questioned the team’s buy-in, was all the more inexcusable. The Islanders squandered a strong start and ultimately fell 5-2, going 0-for-5 on the power play.
Worse yet, the Islanders wasted a prime opportunity to regain control when the Bruins led 3-2. A double-minor high-sticking penalty on Hampus Lindholm late in the second period gave the Islanders a four-minute power play spanning both periods. Despite scoring earlier on a delayed penalty during the game, the Islanders came up empty on this extended man advantage.
Not long after, another power-play chance went begging. Jonathan Drouin and Kyle Palmieri each missed grade-A scoring opportunities. Then, just as the Islanders seemed poised to mount a comeback, Adam Pelech took a slash on Nikita Zadorov, handing the Bruins a power play of their own. Morgan Geekie capitalized swiftly with a one-timer from atop the left circle, extending Boston’s lead to 4-2.
For good measure, the Islanders also had another scoreless power play before the final buzzer, finishing an even 10 minutes of five-on-four time without a goal.
The Bruins put the game out of reach with 3:23 remaining when Fraser Minten converted on an empty-net opportunity, capitalizing on a turnover by Mat Barzal.
The power play woes were just one factor in why the Islanders dropped these two points. Another was their inability to maintain momentum after a dominant start.
The Islanders controlled the first 20 minutes, looking every bit the superior team. Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri each found the net within the opening five minutes, giving New York a 2-0 lead.
However, the second period told a different story. The Islanders came out flat and never fully regained their footing. Within the opening minutes of the second, they took two consecutive penalties. Elias Lindholm scored on the second power play to cut the lead in half.
Less than three minutes later, the Bruins tied the game when David Pastrnak beat goalie Ilya Sorokin following a defensive lapse by the Islanders. A minute after that, Boston took the lead 3-2 on a fortunate goal—Charlie McAvoy’s shot deflected off Mikey Eyssimont and into the net.
That sequence forced coach Patrick Roy to call a timeout and regroup his team, as the Islanders’ momentum had evaporated inside TD Garden.
What had been a precise, dominant effort in the opening period—marked by sharp breakouts and tenacity in the corners—was replaced by struggles managing the puck and difficulty crossing the red line.
Just as in Philadelphia, where the Islanders gave up 2-0 and 3-2 leads before ultimately losing in a shootout, tonight’s collapse in Boston cost them dearly.
While the past couple of weeks have been encouraging for the Islanders and their style has been exciting to watch, these dropped points serve as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. The Islanders—and especially the core group that has been through these battles before—know all too well how costly such moments can be when the season reaches its climax.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/28/sports/islanders-let-another-two-goal-lead-slip-away-in-frustrating-loss-to-bruins/
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