Both teams had a wait problem

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Something was missing here last night, but the void in question wasn't some lost element in the game plan of the Islanders or Bruins. Instead, the missing link was literally in the Nassau Coliseum ice. A small patch of the frozen surface, in front of the net the Islanders defend twice each night, was errantly carved away by the Zamboni in the minutes leading to the pregame warmup, leaving the building's maintenance staff with a crater of some concern.

The start of the play was delayed some 90 minutes -- opening faceoff finally at 8:30 p.m. -- while workers gently poured water over the small open patch of cement and waited for ice to form. Ever stand around waiting for ice cubes to freeze in the fridge? Such was the lesson in patience here last night.

According to the building's maintenance staff, the Zamboni had to work extra hard -- make deeper cuts -- to get the surface back into shape after an Arena Football League game Monday night. After a number of those cuts, said the driver, the wide blade at the back of the Zamboni was knocked off-kilter. Sweeping through the crease, the blade took out a divot slightly smaller than a pie plate.

Former Bruins defenseman Mike Milbury, the Islanders' general manager, was among the first on scene, inspecting the ice about a half-hour before the scheduled 7 p.m. puck drop. It immediately became clear the start would be delayed, with initial indications that it would be only a 20-minute delay. But as is often the case with ice problems, the fix took far longer than exepcted, increasing frustration around the building -- and no doubt boosting beer sales.

"We heard there wasn't going to be a game at all," said Boston winger Glen Murray following the 0-0 tie. "Then we heard there was a game . . . then there wasn't. It was kind of crazy."

Boynton banged up

Bruins workhorse Nick Boynton, who took a nasty spill into the rear boards in the opening minute of the third period of Monday night's loss to the Panthers at the FleetCenter, did not make the trip.

"When he went down, I didn't think he was going to get up," said coach Mike Sullivan. "It was really hurting him after the game. But the good news is he's much better today."

Not good enough, as things turned out, to make the trip for Game No. 64. According to Sullivan, Boynton could return to play tomorrow night when the Canadiens come to Causeway.

Jeff Jillson, a frequent visitor to the press box this season, suited up in Boynton's place.

"Obviously, he's a big guy and he has the ability to be a physical presence," said Sullivan, not agreeing with the belief that Jillson has to add a more physical edge to his game to be an everyday performer. "I think more important is his decision-making out there -- when to pinch, when to join the rush. All that takes time. And for a young defenseman, they can be hard lessons to learn."

Bergeron injured, too

It didn't take long for Boston's injured list to grow by one more significant body. Only 3:30 into the first period, rookie sensation Patrice Bergeron banged up a shoulder -- the team would not disclose which shoulder -- and did not return for the remainder of the night. He was not available for comment after the game.

"It's a different injury than what Nick has," said Sullivan. "I don't know how severe it is yet. We'll have to get back and have the doctors evaluate him."

The rookie forward, picked No. 45 overall in last June's draft, has suited up for every game this season, and has 16 goals and 36 assists. He was averaging 16 minutes 29 seconds of ice time.

Meanwhile, the Bruins remain without the services of forwards Sergei Samsonov and Travis Green, along with defenseman Ian Moran. Green (rib cartilage) is believed to be the closest to returning. Sandy McCarthy also has been out since injuring his jaw, but he has been healthy for a while now, only to be left out of the mix by Sullivan.

Plenty of nothing

The Bruins had not been shut out in back-to-back games since Dec. 14-15, 1996, whitewashes at the hands of Buffalo and Philadelphia . . . General manager Mike O'Connell said he was confident that both Samsonov and Bergeron would be recovered from their injuries prior to the March 9 trade deadline. "I don't think any of them are serious," he said in reference to the nature of the injuries . . . With 2:03 remaining in regulation, ex-Bruin Shawn Bates nearly won it for the Islanders when he stripped the puck from Jiri Slegr at center ice -- right on the red line -- and barreled into the offensive zone to unload a steaming slapper on Felix Potvin.