Bruins Fail to Cement Late-Game Lead Against Wild
Apr 8, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) and Minnesota Wild left Wing Zach Parise (11) colide along the boards in the second period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Bruins Lose in Minnesota
Since they already have clinched the Eastern Conference’s top spot, the Bruins weren’t highly-motivated when they traveled west to take on the Minnesota Wild.
The outcome was 4-3 Minnesota, earning the victory in a shootout. Patrice Bergeron extended his point streak to 12 games, and Wild forward Jason Pominville scored his squad’s only two goals.
Only one minute into the first period, Pominville put the Wild in the lead with a simmering one-timed blast from the left side. Tuukka Rask had trouble saving this shot on his glove side, and I don’t think anyone could blame him. This goal occured on a Milan Lucic-induced power play.
Seconds later, Ryan Suter was charged with a slashing penalty. The Bruins capitalized on his mistake, as Reilly Smith tied the game at 1-1.
Bergeron gave the B’s a 2-1 lead about midway through the first period.This score was simply Bergeron positioning himself in the right place at the right time. The Bruins alternate captain pounced on a rebound in the slot, and his quick release got the best of goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.
Pominville answered in a matter of seconds. Bruins’ defenseman Corey Potter couldn’t keep a hold of Matt Moulson, who found open space near the net and slotted the puck to Pominville for the result.
The second period began. The Bruins and Wild both showed an ability to gather decent scoring chances.
Boston broke through with only four minutes remaining. Zdeno Chara threw a swift wrist shot towards goal. Loui Eriksson stood in a great location to redirect the attempt on frame, providing the Bruins with a 3-2 edge.
The third period commenced. Both teams couldn’t find the back of the net. The Wild had their chances, and so did the Bruins.
With no more than two minutes left to play in the contest, though, the Bruins blew yet another late advantage. The Wild never gave up on the puck in their offensive end, muscling behind Rask before Suter, easing into the high slot, zipped a snap shot past the B’s goalie.
The Finnish netminder was absolutely spectacular for Boston in 4-on-4 overtime, however. His most critical stop came when he prevented Pominville’s hat trick and what should’ve been the game-winner.
In the shooout, the Wild defeated the Bruins in three rounds. Bergeron missed the net, Smith failed to convert on a five-hole try and Brad Marchand‘s deke wasn’t enough to fool Bryzgalov. Mikko Koivu proved to be the difference.
The Bruins will make their way into Canada for Thursday night’s matchup against the Winnepeg Jets.