This second-round matchup between the Bruins and Islanders features two of the NHL’s most proficient players at the dots — Boston’s Patrice Bergeron and the Islanders’ Casey Cizikas.
“He’s the best faceoff guy in the league in my opinion, the way he approaches every draw is different and he’s strong on his stick, so it kind of creates a different animal in that aspect,” said Cizikas, who went 0-for-2 against Bergeron in the Islanders’ 5-2 loss in Game 1 on Saturday night in Boston. “So I just watch some video and do my best to get in there quick, make it hard, tie up draws and just get help. That’s kind of the main thing. He’s going to be tough but it’s a good battle.”
Bergeron led the league by a winning a sparkling 62.3 percent of his draws during the regular season before posting a 58.5 mark in the first round against Washington. Cizikas checked in at 53.2 percent during the regular season before capturing 53 of his 80 draws in the opening round against Pittsburgh for a 66.3 clip.
The Bruins paced the NHL during the regular season at 54.2 percent while the Islanders were ninth at 51.4. Boston won 54.2 percent of its draws against the Caps while the Islanders won 52.5 percent of their draws against the Penguins.
Oliver Wahlstrom remained sidelined for a second straight game, the Islanders winger still feeling the effects of a third period Game 5 collision with the Penguin’s Mike Matheson on Monday in which he sustained a leg injury.
When Islanders coach Barry Trotz was asked if there had been a change in the rookie’s condition, the coach replied: “None … none at all.”
Boston’s Tuukka Rask entered the match leading NHL goaltenders with 48 victories, a 2.12 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage in the playoffs since taking over as the No. 1 in 2012-13. Rask led the Bruins to the finals in 2013 and 2019.
They lost in six games to the Blackhawks in 2013 before going down in seven to the Blues in 2019.
Bruins winger Craig Smith left the game after one early third-period shift, feeling the effects of a big hit he took from Cal Clutterbuck midway through the second period.
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