Bruins come back to beat Islanders 5-2 at TD Garden

The Boston Bruins desperately needed a spark after suffering through one of their roughest stretches of the season. Coming off a humiliating 7-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators just 24 hours earlier, the Bruins found themselves in an all-too-familiar position on Tuesday night at TD Garden: trailing early against the New York Islanders. But this time, something was different. This time, the Bruins refused to fold.

The Bruins come back to beat Islanders 3-2 at TD Garden proved to be more than just a victory—it was a statement. Actually, the final score was 5-2, as Boston scored five unanswered goals after falling behind 2-0 in the first period. For a team that had lost seven of eight games heading into the contest, this dominant second-period surge and resilient third-period defensive stand represented exactly the kind of performance head coach needed to see from his struggling squad.

The Islanders strike early in a dominant first period

The opening 20 minutes at TD Garden belonged entirely to the Islanders. Just 68 seconds into the game, Bo Horvat capitalized on a 3-on-2 rush, receiving a drop pass from Jonathan Drouin and beating Joonas Korpisalo blocker side from the top of the right circle. The early goal set the tone for what appeared to be another difficult evening for the home team.

Things went from bad to worse for Boston when Kyle Palmieri doubled the Islanders’ lead at 4:52 of the first period. During a delayed penalty, Mathew Barzal found Palmieri with a cross-ice pass, and the veteran forward buried it into an open net as Korpisalo struggled to track the puck. The goal came after sustained pressure from the Islanders, who were controlling play in all three zones.

The Bruins managed just four shots on goal in the opening frame, looking disjointed and disorganized. The body language on the Boston bench suggested a team still reeling from Monday’s debacle in Ottawa. Ilya Sorokin, the Islanders’ netminder, barely had to break a sweat as his team took a commanding two-goal lead into the first intermission.

For the Islanders, who had won four of their previous five games, everything was going according to plan. They were executing their game plan perfectly, clogging the neutral zone and capitalizing on their chances. Little did they know that the script was about to be completely rewritten.

Bruins erupt with five straight goals to take control

Whatever was said in the Boston locker room during the first intermission clearly resonated. The Bruins came out for the second period with renewed energy and purpose, immediately putting pressure on the Islanders’ defense. At 3:57 of the middle frame, Elias Lindholm cut the deficit in half with a power-play goal that ignited the crowd.

Pavel Zacha, positioned along the goal line, delivered a perfect pass to Lindholm in the right circle. The center wasted no time, unleashing a quick one-timer that beat Sorokin five-hole. The goal not only put the Bruins on the board but also provided the momentum swing they desperately needed. According to NHL.com, Lindholm’s goal was the catalyst for Boston’s complete transformation.

Just 2:52 later, David Pastrnak tied the game at 2-2 with a nearly identical play. Hampus Lindholm—who had been activated off injured reserve earlier that day after missing five games—faked a shot from above the left circle and instead passed across to Pastrnak. The star winger buried his shot five-hole from the bottom of the right circle, sending TD Garden into a frenzy.

The Bruins weren’t finished. A mere 59 seconds after Pastrnak’s equalizer, Michael Eyssimont gave Boston its first lead of the night at 7:48 of the second period. Charlie McAvoy’s centering feed found Eyssimont, who had established inside position on Jean-Gabriel Pageau at the back post. The redirect slipped past Sorokin’s left pad, completing a stunning three-goal turnaround in just under four minutes.

The Islanders had opportunities to respond, receiving a four-minute power play after Hampus Lindholm was assessed a double minor for high-sticking at 17:09 of the second period. However, they failed to convert, and the momentum remained firmly with the home team. Boston’s penalty kill, which had been a weak point during their losing streak, stood tall when it mattered most.

Korpisalo stands tall as Boston closes it out

The third period became a showcase for Joonas Korpisalo, who had endured significant criticism during the Bruins’ recent struggles. The Finnish goaltender faced 15 shots in the final frame alone, turning aside every single one to preserve Boston’s lead. His performance was particularly impressive considering he had allowed seven goals the previous night in Ottawa.

Morgan Geekie extended the Bruins’ lead to 4-2 at 5:48 of the third period with a power-play goal of his own. The goal was Geekie’s sixth in five games and his eighth of the season, which tied him for the NHL lead at that point. His one-timer from above the left circle demonstrated the confidence that was now flowing through the entire Boston lineup.

The Islanders had their chances, including another power play opportunity after Pastrnak was given a minor for holding at 2:23 of the third period. But once again, Boston’s penalty kill unit—and Korpisalo—came through. The Bruins finished the game 2-for-4 on the power play, while New York went 0-for-5, a stark difference that ultimately decided the contest.

Fraser Minten sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 16:37, making the final score 5-2. The goal capped off a complete team effort that saw contributions from throughout the lineup. McAvoy finished with two assists, while Lindholm, Pastrnak, and Eyssimont each recorded a goal and an assist.

What this Bruins come back to beat Islanders 3-2 at TD Garden means moving forward

This comeback victory at TD Garden represents more than just two points in the standings for the Bruins. It demonstrates that despite their early-season struggles, this team still possesses the character and skill level necessary to compete in the competitive Eastern Conference. The ability to respond after such a devastating loss in Ottawa—and to overcome a two-goal deficit at home—speaks volumes about the resilience in that locker room.

For the Islanders, this loss marks their second consecutive defeat to start a four-game road trip, and more troublingly, it’s their second straight game in which they’ve squandered a two-goal lead. The pattern is concerning for a team that had built momentum with four wins in five games. Patrick Roy will need to address his team’s inability to maintain leads, particularly on the road where games often hinge on emotional swings.

The return of Hampus Lindholm from injured reserve provided an immediate boost to Boston’s defensive corps and power play. His ability to quarterback the man advantage and his veteran presence on the blue line were exactly what the Bruins needed. If he can remain healthy and continue contributing at both ends of the ice, it could be the catalyst for turning around what has been a disappointing start to the season for Boston.

Looking ahead, both teams face immediate tests. The Bruins travel to Buffalo to face the Sabres on Thursday, while the Islanders head to Carolina to take on the Hurricanes. These teams will meet again next week in New York for their second of three matchups this season, with the third coming the night before Thanksgiving. As detailed by The Hockey Writers, this victory could serve as a turning point for a Bruins team desperate to climb back into playoff contention. Whether they can build on this performance or revert to their struggling ways will determine if this was merely a blip or the beginning of something more substantial.