Despite another loss, Bruins coach liked resiliency of team
Boston Bruins center Trent Frederic (11) and New York Islanders left wing Pierre Engvall (18) battle for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)AP
BOSTON — The Bruins secured a point on Sunday night but still dropped their fourth game in a row.
Despite a late third-period push that included two goals from David Pastrnak that helped Boston to overtime, the Bruins still fell 5-4 to the New York Islanders. The Bruins looked like a team playing on the second half of a back-to-back for two-plus periods. And while Boston couldn’t come away with the win, coach Joe Sacco liked the fight he saw from his team and chose to see the loss as the glass being half full.
“Considering the circumstances and being down a couple of goals and then fighting our way back in the third, it showed a sign of resiliency for the team tonight,” he said after the game. “We would have liked to have captured that extra point in overtime. Unfortunately we didn’t. We had a couple of good looks before they got their one chance but, like I said, considering the circumstances I was happy the guys hung in right to the end.”
Part of the glass being half full was Pastrnak remaining hot and appearing as if he’s emerged from his slump. The star forward has four goals in his last two games and leads the Bruins with 17.
“I think it was honestly one of my better games,” Pastrnak said. “To be honest, (Saturday) not great. (Sunday), honestly, I think it was one of my better games. Felt good energy-wise. I was moving and feeling it.”
But while Pastrnak was a bright spot, there were still a lot of moments throughout the game that had TD Garden restless. The Bruins defense has left much to be desired of late. The Toronto Maple Leafs scored five goals against Jeremy Swayman on Saturday before the Islanders potted four on Joonas Korpisalo the following night.
“We didn’t defend with our feet as well tonight. I thought our structure was OK, but we didn’t defend with our feet enough,” Sacco said. “I think that’s a sign of a little bit of fatigue. Not to make an excuse, but we needed to defend more with our legs tonight and get to people quicker.”
The Bruins are still winless in 2025 and have a tough matchup in the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Their defense will need to be on top of its game with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and Boston would certainly benefit from the second line of Brad Marchand, Elias Lindholm and Charlie Coyle providing some offense.
