ELMONT, N.Y. — The Islanders continued to play through most of their COVID-19 outbreak and all the games they lost count in the standings.
So, beating an undermanned Bruins squad that could dress just 17 skaters counts just as much.
The Islanders won, 3-1, on Thursday night at UBS Arena, their second straight win in their new $1.1 billion home after starting 0-5-2 in the building.
The last-place Islanders (8-12-5) still haven’t won consecutive games since Nov. 4-6, but have won three of five and gotten at least one point in six of their last eight games as they’ve gotten most of their roster back healthy.
Semyon Varlamov, who missed all of training camp and the preseason with a knee issue, made a season-high 40 saves in his eighth appearance. Defenseman Mike Reilly spoiled his bid for his first shutout of the season and the fourth of his career against the Bruins with 53.1 seconds to go.
Cal Clutterbuck scored twice, clinching the win with an empty-netter at 17:43 of the third period.
The Bruins were missing two-thirds of their top line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand in COVID-19 protocol, joined by goalie Jeremy Swayman and forwards Craig Smith, Anton Blidh and Trent Frederic.
And when Oskar Steen was also placed in COVID-19 protocol shortly before the game, it forced the Bruins to play one skater short, with 11 forwards and six defensemen.
The Islanders, too, played one forward short after Kyle Palmieri exited at 13:06 of the second period.
Islanders top-line center Mathew Barzal remains quarantined in Detroit after testing positive on Tuesday. He became the ninth Islander this season to be in COVID-19 protocol but he and defenseman Ryan Pulock (long-term injured reserve/lower body) are the only players currently unavailable.
The NHL and the NHL Players Association implemented stricter COVID-19 protocols this week — similar to last season — through at least Jan. 7. There’s now daily testing, masking and social-distancing within the team facilities and tighter restrictions for players on the road in terms of how and where to eat.
Coach Barry Trotz said before the game, while there’s disappointment COVID-19 rates are again rising and more restrictions must be in place, the organization has done everything possible to combat the virus.
All but one player in the NHL — the Red Wings’ Tyler Bertuzzi — is vaccinated. But the Islanders had to issue a statement correcting Trotz’s claim the whole team had received a booster shot.
"That statement is not true," the Islanders said. "The organization has offered the booster shot to the entire team and will continue to educate and recommend that everyone consider receiving (it)."
COVID-19 issues and concerns aside, the Islanders gave a cohesive effort that has often escaped them through their spate of illnesses and injuries.
Anthony Beauvillier, with his first point in 16 games, gave the Islanders a 2-0 lead with a power-play slap shot from the left at 1:44 of the second period.
Varlamov stopped all 21 shots he faced in the middle 20 minutes. That included denying Karson Kuhlman at the crease at 5:34 after he sped past Austin Czarnik — recalled from AHL Bridgeport earlier in the day — and defenseman Robin Salo. Varlamov also stopped David Pastrnak — who remained on the Bruins’ reconstituted top line with center Charlie Coyle and Taylor Hall — at the net at 15:35. The goalie was able to poke-check the puck off Pastrnak’s stick as he skated in.
Clutterbuck, now fourth on the team with five goals, gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead at 11:47 of the first period, swatting in a loose puck past Linus Ullmark (25 saves) from low in the left circle.
