February 12, 2013; Boston, MA USA; New York Rangers defenseman
Ryan McDonagh(27) checks Boston Bruins center
Patrice Bergeron(37) in front of goalie
Henrik Lundqvist(30) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
When all seemed hopeless the Boston Bruins came back from 3-0 down to tie the game 3-3 against the New York Rangers. Ryan Callahan would do the Bruins in during the shootout but the Bruins cannot let that get in the way of the third period house that sent the game to overtime and got us a point.
The Rangers went up 3-0 over the course of the first two periods with goals from Carl Hagelin, Derek Stepan , and Anton Stralman. The Bruins played their normal grinding hard style but were terrible coming up through centre ice and it came back to bite them on the first two goals. Tuukka Rask might have let in a soft goal on the Stralman goal but the Hagelin and Stepan goals were both very good goals from very good plays by the Rangers.
The Bruins weren’t able to beat Herink Lundqvist with shot after shot until David Krejci snuck in the puck under the arm pit of “King Henrik” to finally put the Bruins on the board. Nathan Horton would make it 3-2 and a goal line snipe from Brad Marchand tied the game 3-3. Visions of the 3-1 comeback against Ottawa in the 2009-10 season filled my mind and the game went to a shootout. Hank and Tuukka did both play tremendous in the shootout but a filthy move by Nash put a goal in for the Rangers and Rangers captain Ryan Callahan put a snap shot by Rask to win it for the Rangers.
Despite the loss, the Bruins proved a strength and will to fight for a comeback and everything is up hill from here. A point is a point and the Bruins will take this one in stride. Herink Lundqvist made 27 saves on 30 shots and Rask was 21 for 24. The Bruins killed all of their penalties and the powerplay continues to struggle for Boston, one can hope the Thomas salary dump will open up the chance for a golden powerplay scorer. (I’m looking at you Brian Rolston.. get back on the blue line.. please..)
The Bruins head out on the road to face the Sabres in Buffalo on Friday.