The Boston Bruins have now gone their first three games to start the season without scoring an even strength goal, as Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored with 4:09 left in the third period Monday evening leading the New York Islanders to a 1-0 win at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY.
Boston had 27 shots on goal, but Semyon Valarmov shut the door and recorded his second shutout in two starts this season. New York (2-1-0) nearly netted the games first goal when Josh Bailey set up Anthony Beauvillier for a breakaway with 10:30 to go, but he was stopped by Bruins goalie Tuuka Rask. Pageau got the game winner on a shot through traffic, batting a rebound out of mid-air on a shot that Rask never had a chance on. The teams were a combined 0-8 on the powerplay, and Rask made 16 saves in the loss for Boston who falls to 1-1-1 suffering their first regulation loss of the season and are the only team left in the league not scoring a goal at even strength. Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock assisted on the Islanders game winning goal. The Bruins are at home for the first time in the home opener Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.
