The Bruins had plenty of chances, but Frans Nielsen had the one that mattered the most.

Despite launching 17 third-period shots at Dwayne Roloson, the Bruins dropped a 3-2 contest to the New York Islanders Saturday when Nielsen scored a breakaway goal just 24 seconds into overtime. Nielsen took a pass from Blake Comeau after the Bruins turned the puck over just inside the Islanders blue line. After stumbling momentarily as he moved into the Boston zone, Nielsen recovered to sweep a backhand shot past Tim Thomas.

Just like that, the Bruins lost a game they could easily have won.

The scrappy Islanders were outshot 32-19, and they played with only five defenseman after Jack Hillen was injured in the first period, but they nonetheless matched the Bruins’ physicality and took advantage of their limited chances to improve to 2-0-1 against Boston this season.

Despite the overtime setback, the Bruins once again managed to pick up a standings point for the 10th time in their last 11 games (8-1-2) and 15th in their last 17 (10-2-5).

Here are three items that emerged from Saturday’s contest.

A SPECIAL TEAMS REVERSAL WAS A BIG FACTOR IN A LOSS

The Bruins had killed 16 consecutive opposition power play chances before being whistled for having too many men on the ice four minutes into the first period.

During the ensuing Islanders power play, rookie Rob Schremp whacked at a loose puck to Thomas’s left and banked a shot off the goalie’s right pad into the net to give New York a 1-0 lead.

The Bruins penalty killers were able to regroup and shut down another New York power play later in the first, and there certainly was not a complete breakdown on the lone power play goal the Islanders scored. Still, the early penalty killing slip helped a young Islanders team to gain momentum.

The Bruins power play had also been hot, with eight goals in 23 chances in five games prior to Saturday’s contest. But Boston went 0-3 with a man-advantage against the Islanders. That mark included an inability to score during a pair of third-period power plays with the game on the line.

Again, the power play was not awful, but the slight departure from its recent effectiveness contributed to the loss.

KREJCI IS TAKING HIS TURN AT THE CENTER OF THE BRUINS’ SCORING

After trailing early, the Bruins were able to recover and grab a 2-1 lead with center David Krejci in the middle of it all.

Boston tied the game with 5:37 left in the first when Michael Ryder snapped a shot from the top of the right circle past Roloson off a rush with Krejci. In the second, Vladimir Sobotka crunched two Islander defenders along the boards and the puck skittered to Ryder, who feathered a backhand pass through the crease for Krejci to tap in, giving Boston a 2-1 lead.

The two-point effort by Krejci gave him seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in his last six games. He now appears to be taking his turn among the skilled Bruins centers who have jumped into the scoring spotlight.

During a perfect 4-0 roadtrip three weeks ago, Patrice Bergeron provided key offensive contributions (1 game winning goal, 4 assists) to lead the Bruins offense. Returning home, Marc Savard chipped in four goals and two assists in five games to pace the Boston attack.

Now it appears to be Krejci’s turn as he has generated two goals and three assists in the last three games. 

IT’S BEEN A ROCKY ROAD FOR THOMAS

Saturday’s setback leaves Tim Thomas 0-4-1 in his last five road games. His last win on the road was at Ottawa on October 24.

Thomas had not played in four road games in mid-November while mending a right hand injury, so the winless stretch on the road could be somewhat misleading. Still, the games in which he has played have not gone well.

His last start was a miserable 5-1 setback in Montreal on Dec. 4. Thomas was certainly not to blame for many defensive breakdowns in that game, nor for giving up a breakaway in overtime Saturday, but the Bruins will need the reigning Vezina Trophy winner to regain his winning form on the road.