After a huge Game 1 performance from David Pastrnak to go up 1-0 in the series, the Bruins dropped Game 2 to the Islanders in overtime after the game-winning goal by Casey Cizikas:
CASEY CIZIKAS! 🚨
— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) June 1, 2021
The #Isles win Game 2 in OVERTIME. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/UTixGDaH2o
The second longest tenured player on the Islanders roster, Cizikas only had 7 goals all season and was yet to bury one in the back of the net in the playoffs before his winner in Game 2.
The Bruins can’t feel great about dropping one at home to New York, but they can take some solace in the fact that they were able to climb their way out of a 3-1 deficit with under 10 minutes left in the 3rd period to force overtime.
Pastrnak to Marchand to Bergeron.
— Guy Boston Sports (@GuyBostonSports) June 1, 2021
Perfection.pic.twitter.com/YQXwxqrBGY
MARCHAND TIES GAME 2! 😱pic.twitter.com/1jkNkVCZT7
— Guy Boston Sports (@GuyBostonSports) June 1, 2021
Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy had some somewhat critical comments regarding Tuukka Rask‘s performance after he let the Islanders put up four goals in the losing effort. “Tuukka didn’t track pucks as well tonight, but [the Islanders] got some bounces.” Cassidy said. “Sometimes you gotta be fortunate in this game. As far as Tuukka goes, they scored on a breakaway and were one save better than us.”
Many fans responded to Cassidy’s comments with dismay:
Must be wild to watch his entire team play like ass for 3 out of 4 periods and somehow believe it was the goalies fault.
— ScottWithTwoTs (@Scottyrica) June 1, 2021
I can’t even imagine calling out Tuukka for this loss. He was the only reason they got as far as they did.
— Jacob P., J.D. (@JacobLaFreniere) June 1, 2021
I uh…rask was demonstrably NOT the problem tonight.
— GarrettLC | BLM | (@MAsadboi) June 1, 2021
Rask dropped from 3rd to 8th in save percentage this postseason in the loss. Despite allowing four goals, he remained 5th in goals against in goals against average in the playoffs.
The Bruins and Islanders will have two days off as they travel to New York for Game 3 on Thursday at 7:30 pm ET.
Photo: (John Tlumacki – Boston Globe)
