The Boston Bruins have looked like a rejuvenated team since they made multiple moves at the trade deadline. That was no different on Friday night as they completed a two game sweep of the Islanders with a 3-0 win. The New York Islanders had caused the Bruins some trouble in previous meetings earlier in the season, but that was not the case in this two game series between them.
There were some challenges for Boston early on in Friday’s game as Jeremy Swayman was tested from the start. However, the rookie goaltender was simply outstanding, making three great saves in the opening period. He ended the night with 25 saves and recorded his first career shutout in the NHL.
“Shutouts are pretty hard to come by,” he said. “I think it’s a pretty special moment. But I try to just focus on one game at a time. When you do get a shutout, it’s definitely one you can look back on and take a lot of good things from because obviously, you did a lot of good things right. So want to make sure that I play it my best every night, and you know if I can learn from my past games, I will.”
Swayman, who had a great college career at the University of Maine, had been patiently waiting for his opportunity throughout the season has taken full advantage of being the starting goaltender the last couple of weeks.
“My first day at Maine, I was the goalie who didn’t talk, was super-focused,” Swayman said. “Then as the years went on, I was more progressively getting into the crowd, into the moment, having fun with it. ”
The Bruins opened the scoring with just three seconds left in the first period, when David Pastrnak put an end to his scoring drought with his 17th goal of the season. Boston doubled the lead 47 seconds into the second period when Taylor Hall scored his second goal in as many days for Boston. In his first week as a Bruin, Hall has got off to a scorching start, already tallying as many goals with Boston as he had all season with Buffalo.
Curtis Lazar, another new addition, went on to score a late empty-netter to clinch the victory for the Bruins.
Despite 21 saves for Ilya Sorokin, the Islanders suffered a third defeat in their last four games. New York remain second in the East Divison with 58 points and will head to Philadelphia to face the Flyers on Sunday.
The Bruins have now won three in a row after the victory on Friday night. They have also gained more separation from the New York Rangers in the standings. Boston currently sit 4th in the East with 54 points.
They will look to extend their winning streak on Sunday when they host the Washington Capitals in a matinee at TD Garden.