Second Period Notes: BOS 2, NYI 2

Merlot Line…x2
Not only did Gregory Campbell’s play in the first period lead to Thornton’s goal, but the Merlot liner got a goal of his own in the second period, his first of the season. No. 11 cashed in by - you guessed it - crashing the net. It was reminiscent of Lucic’s rebound goal in the home opener against the Rangers. Fresh off a line change, David Krejci fired a shot from just inside the blueline on the left wing side and the puck deflected right to Campbell driving the net. Puck hit right on Campbell’s tape and into the back of the net behind Rick DiPietro, who is playing in his first game since December 3, 2011.

Isles’ Secondary Scoring
New York Islanders’ Head Coach Jack Capuano said this morning pre game that his team would need secondary scoring to win games this season - that the front-loaded top line of Moulson, Tavares and Okposo wouldn’t always be able to find the back of the net, especially against tough defensemen like Zdeno Chara.

That has proved true tonight, as the Isles’ third line of David Ullstrom, Keith Aucoin and Colin McDonald has come up huge for them tonight with two go-ahead goals. The streaking Aucoin now has three goals and an assist in his last three games.

Two-way Second Line
The B’s second line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Tyler Seguin hasn’t necessarily been finding its way onto the score sheet consistently - though Marchand has two goals so far this season. No. 63 has said that although he feels good on the ice, he expects more of himself. Although the line hasn’t been putting up offensive numbers yet, their two-way play has been very evident on the ice - takeaways, good forechecking, all helping the Black & Gold generate chances.

Special Teams
The Bruins and Islanders were the only two teams in the NHL to remain 100-percent on the penalty kill - and it has remained that way tonight. The B’s power play has received heat for years, and much talk has been made about its revamped look. While still not able to convert, it generated chances again tonight - including a Stamkos-esque one-timer from Seguin at the left circle that nearly flew past DiPietro.

Check BostonBruins.com later tonight for a post-game recap….

^CS