What we learned: shorthanded Bruins need a breather

ELMONT, N.Y. — Once again, the Boston Bruins hardly faced ideal circumstances heading into their UBS Arena debut against the New York Islanders.

Already without Brad Marchand and Craig Smith following Tuesday’s 4-1 setback at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights, the Bruins hardly trotted out an NHL-worthy lineup against a struggling Islanders bunch. Patrice Bergeron, Anton Blidh, Trent Frederic, Oskar Steen and Jeremy Swayman joined Smith and Marchand on Boston’s COVID-19 protocol list over the last 48 hours.

Without practicing for two days, Bruce Cassidy’s 17-man bunch had a significant battle that only heightened upon Steen’s late entry into protocol. They didn’t put forth a poor effort…