Might Islanders fans regret this ‘We want Boston’ chant? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Be careful what you wish for, New York Islanders fans.
The Islanders defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 at Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday night to clinch a first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series victory and punch their ticket to Round 2, where they’ll face the Boston Bruins.
It was the Islanders’ first playoff series win at the Coliseum since 1993, so fans understandably were fired up. And with about three minutes remaining in the third period, fans expressed that excitement by breaking out a “We want Boston” chant.
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(Click here to check out video of the chant.)
Are you sure about that, Islanders fans? After losing their first five regular-season matchups with New York, Boston has won its last three games against the Isles by a combined score of 10-3. The Bruins just dispatched the Washington Capitals in five games and are playing some very good hockey right now.
But this was more about Islanders fans being excited about winning a playoff series than calling out Boston. The Bruins’ second-round ticket was already punched, so of course New Yorkers would want to see the B’s if it meant advancing past Round 1.
That said, this is a great opportunity for Bostonians to remind New Yorkers of the last time they chanted “We want Boston” near the end of a playoff series. Yankees fans got their wish in the 2018 American League Division Series, only for the Red Sox to dispatch their rivals in four games en route to a World Series title.
The Bruins-Islanders schedule has yet to be announced, but Game 1 will be at TD Garden, where Boston fans will surely give New York a warm welcome.