What we learned: Finally! Bruins .500 at home

Something had to give Saturday afternoon.In their last five games neither the Bruins nor the Islanders had lost a game. Boston at 3-0-2; New York a point better at 4-0-1. Add that in their last 10 games, both were also tight as ticks at 6-2-2 and 7-1-2.

Maybe that pesky stat stuck out most: Boston’s season-long struggle to get to .500 at home. Likely no better time than Game No. 70, given that six of the next seven contests are away from TD Garden, including next week’s grueling trek through San Jose, Anaheim and Los Angeles.

But, this is the year where that other significant stat has saved the season from total collapse: 23-7-3 on the road.

Boston led the NHL with six players scoring 45 or…