Repetto: Islanders' Power Plays Are A Much Needed Strength

When playing a dominant team like the Boston Bruins, the New York Islanders are going to need to make the most out of any opportunity that they get. So far in round two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they are 3/6 on their power play. Those three goals did come at opportune times for the Islanders, either giving them the lead or padding it in the process.
After the first period in game two last night, the Islanders were in need of a goal having fallen behind the Bruins after Charlie Coyle put the B’s up 1-0. The shot differential was 15-6 in favor of the Bruins. When the opportunity arose for the Islanders to gain the man advantage, they capitalized on a tying goal by Josh Bailey 6:52 into the period. The big power-play goal was enough to knot the score, however, New York still needed to find a way to pull ahead. Just about four minutes later, Kyle Palmieri pushed the puck in from the side of the net giving the Islanders the lead.
About seven minutes later, the Islanders went back to the power-play, and Mathew Barzal found Anthony Beauvillier who sent it over to Jean-Gabriel Pageau to gain the two-goal lead with a great set-up on their second power play of the night. 

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— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) June 1, 2021

“I thought they were good. I mean we need to be, you know, to put a dent into their penalty kill. I thought we were able to do that tonight cause they got a very good power play so. We got to stay at least even with them and the special teams and then we’ll take our chances with the five-on-five game,” said head coach, Barry Trotz, in an interview with NHL Networks. 
Now not only did the Islanders have a lead headed into the third period, but they were able to tighten up their game and show that they can keep pace in this series despite being the underdog. When it came down to it in the third, the Bruins did manage to come back up and tie the game once more at 3. 
The Islanders fought off the Bruins to get to overtime, and Casey Cizikas secured the victory for the Islanders cleaning up a turnover at the Bruins blueline for a breakaway chance. It’s important to note that the Bruins have been slightly undisciplined with six minor penalties in two games, something the Isles have taken advantage of. Such as in game one, Beauvillier scored on the powerplay to give the Islanders the lead, thus many of their power play chances are timely, big goals. 
We see this again come game 3, as the Islanders need to look to keep the ball rolling. Drawing those penalties are crucial. Then converting on those opportunities is an essential component to help the Isles win this series. It was evident last night that the Bruins are very capable of coming back from a goal deficit no matter the size. 
The Islanders seem to have figured something out on their power-play, given they were just converting at 18.8% in the regular season. Now, it appears they’re using it to their advantage headed back to Nassau Coliseum Thursday night, where you can expect the crowd to back them as the “sixth man.”
Follow Bri on Twitter @RepettoBri