UNIONDALE, N.Y. — This game, just like the entirety of this second-round series, was everything NHL playoff hockey is supposed to be. The Islanders and Bruins again engaged in an even battle at a tension-filled Nassau Coliseum.
It’s only fitting this series is now tied at two games apiece and there will be at least one more playoff game at the venerable barn, which again seated a deafening 12,000.
The resilient Islanders rallied from a second-period deficit and defeated the Bruins, 4-1, in Game 4 on Saturday night as the teams have alternated wins to start the series. Game 5 is Monday night at TD Garden and the teams will return to the Coliseum on Wednesday night.
"I think we’ve got a group that goes with the flow and never really gets too high or too low," Cal Clutterbuck said. "The playoffs the emotions are amplified, highs and lows. So, if you’re riding that wave, you get a little tired, you get a little discouraged, and you get a little too excited when things go your way."
Mathew Barzal scored the winner at 13:03 of the third period, swatting the puck past Tuukka Rask (30 saves) from off the left post and Casey Cizikas and Jean-Gabriel Pageau added empty-netters in the final 63 seconds.
A superb Semyon Varlamov stopped 28 shots.
The Islanders had also faced a 2-1 series deficit in the first round against the Penguins before rallying with three straight wins.
"Every game, every playoff series teaches you lessons," said coach Barry Trotz, who led the Islanders to the Eastern Conference finals last season. "You find value in being down. We were in this position the last series against Pittsburgh. We had a positive experience. We’ve learned some things from that."
"Confidence is something that comes from repetition," defenseman Adam Pelech said. "We’ve been in these spots before. There’s a belief in the room. A belief in each other that helps us get through tough moments."
Varlamov remained in net after making 39 saves in both Thursday night’s 2-1 overtime loss in Game 3 and Monday night’s 4-3 overtime win in Game 2 at TD Garden. But Game 4 marked the first of his five postseason starts in which he did not allow a goal on one of the first three shots he faced. In all, Varlamov made 11 first-period saves.
"I’d like to not be chasing the game but I’m not that concerned," Trotz said of the early goals against Varlamov. "Over my time, things that you think are trends aren’t really trends. They just happen in a short timeframe. If it’s the same again, then I’ll start wavering the other way. For the most part, he’s been terrific."
Varlamov did allow the first goal but it didn’t come until David Krejci’s power-play shot at 3:57 of the second period after Matt Martin was whistled for an offensive-zone hold on Brad Marchand. Krejci’s goal withstood the Islanders’ challenge that Marchand interfered with Varlamov and the Bruins could not convert on their subsequent man advantage.
The Islanders tied it at 1 at 6:38 of the second period as Barzal, taking the puck behind the Bruins’ crease, drew a delayed call on Curtis Lazar before finding Kyle Palmieri in the low slot to beat Rask.
The Islanders came out with a hard push fueled by their strong forecheck in a feisty first period. Former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall, engaging in just his second NHL fight, dropped the gloves with defenseman Scott Mayfield at 7:28. Martin engaged in a heavyweight bout with defenseman Jarred Tinordi after the Bruins objected to Barzal’s high stick on Lazar at 9:23, an infraction that may draw a fine from the league.
Rask stretched out his left skate to deny Anthony Beauvillier at the crease at 14:56 and the Islanders were lucky not to trail after an unchecked David Pastrnak, getting a cross-ice feed to the left circle from Patrice Bergeron, hit the far post shooting staring at a wide-open net at 16:58. Pastrnak remained on his stomach in disbelief at his miss.
Rask, meanwhile, stoned Josh Bailey from between the circles at 10:04 of the second period after a feed from Brock Nelson, who skated around defenseman Connor Clifton.
