Nov 25, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman
Torey Krug(47) celebrates his game winning goal with teammates left wing
Brad Marchand(63) and center
Patrice Bergeron(37) as Pittsburgh Penguins center
Sidney Crosby(87) looks on during the overtime period of their 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Penguins came into town Monday night ready to play. The Bruins on the other hand came out flat. Rask made save after save with none bigger than the right pad save against Chris Kunitz, early on in the game. Despite the lop-sided play, the B’s managed to go up on the Penguins 2 to 0, after one period. Scoring for the Bruins was Eriksson (5) on a beautiful soccer-like move. Next was Smith (5), who was fed a sharp pass from Soderberg, on the Power play. Shots 10-5 Penguins.
In the 2nd period the Bruins looked even more flat then the first. This time Pittsburgh got on the score board when James Neal wristed one in. One thing I noticed, when Smith, Eriksson and Soberberg were on a line together they made things happen. As soon as Eriksson was put back together with Marchand and Bergeron, nothing happened. Might Coach Claude need to make some changes? Also, Bartkowski was a Minus-2 in regulation; they obviously miss Seidenberg and McQuaid. Bruins 2, Penguins 1. Shots 20-13 Penguins.
The Third period started off with more of the same, Pittsburgh skating, the Bruins not. Once again James Neal lit the lamp, this time with a laser over the shoulder of Rask, glove side. What would it take to wake the B’s up? Well apparently that second goal was it because the Bruins top line set-up in the offensive zone, not to be denied. Big “Z” threw a wobbling puck on net that beat Marc-Andre Fleury, putting the Bruins up again by one at the 5:15 mark of the 3rd.
Unfortunately that last minute goal problem reared its ugly head again when the B’s allowed Sidney Crosby to skate right into the crease, tipping one home. To Over-time they go again.
Bruins Jarome Iginla must hate O.T. because he attempted to end it immediately after it started but his backhander was denied. Bergeron won the offensive zone face-off, fed it to Krug who missed the net but would have another chance. While covering at the point, Eriksson passed Krug who fed a give and go to Marchand, back to Krug for the close in Slapper that beat Fleury high glove side for the game-winning goal. 4-3 B’s, Shots 31-24 Penguins.
One more observation… Matt Bartkowski along with Boychuk, finished Minus-2 on the night. Think the Bruins miss Seidenberg and McQuaid?
Next up is a Wednesday night game in Detroit. The Red Wings are in 4th place, with 29 points. Players to watch out for: Henrick Zetterberg (28 pts in 25 games), Pavel Datsyuk (23 pts in 24 games). Go B’s!