Tuesday's game was about as evenly-matched as could be between the detailed clubs, with the teams trading power-play goals in the first two periods and limiting chances at even strength.
"Every time we match up against them it seems to be pretty tight," Ryan Pulock said. "It's a tough game, they're hard and physical on their forecheck and we like to play that way too. It was tight all game, especially in the third. We like being in those games, those playoff type games and we're comfortable there and that's how it's going to be down the stretch there."
For the fourth-straight game, the Islanders and Bruins were tied heading into the third period, a position the Islanders looked more than comfortable being in after two-and-a-half years under Trotz.
The Islanders limited the Bruins to four shots in the third- down from 12 each in the first and second stanzas. While those four looks included some quality chances, including one for Pastrnak, Varlamov was sound positionally, looking increasingly poised as the game wore on, shrugging off a slip that led to Boston's opening goal in the first.
"We got to our game in the third period," Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "Once we got it tied up, I felt good about the third. Our group felt they could get to their game."
If the third was tight, OT was wide open, with Boston outshooting the Islanders 5-2. The Islanders, who entered the game 0-4 beyond regulation, were relieved to pick up their first win after 65 minutes, with Jordan Eberle and Beauvillier scoring in the bonus round, with Varlamov turning aside two-of-three Bruins.
