Marchand’s game-winning aim was his 102nd career playoff stage and provides the Bruins a 2-1 series lead in their best-of-seven series in a rocking Nassau Coliseum. Game 4 is 7:15 Saturday night back on Long Island.
The Bruins took an early lead in the initial stage when Craig Smith returned to the lineup after missing Game 2 with a lower-body accident and ripped a wrist shot over Varlamov’s shoulder at 5:52.
Taylor Hall had the primary assist on Smith’s purpose, but it had been the backcheck the former Hart Trophy winner did right before the target was a large reason the goal occurred.
Marchand’s goal ended the match and whether the Bruins had lost, it could have been a tough loss for them to endure. Boston outplayed the Islanders in parts of the match, but was defeated by Varlamov. In the second period, Varlamov made a pad save on a David Krejci one-timer, then at the end of the period of time, he stopped Nick Ritchie, who was alone in the slot.
Varlamov has defeated the Bruins this year with a 6-1 record in the regular season and the postseason. In the third period, the Black and Gold outshot New York, 21-9, but again could not get a shot beyond the Russian goalie.
In the end, in overtime, Marchand’s third career playoff goal was the difference as the Bruins regained home-ice advantage before Game 4. If the Bruins can win Game 4, they set up themselves in the sequence. Otherwise, it turns into a best-of-three series to be the East Division rep in the semifinals.
