This season has been anything but conventional for the Boston Bruins. Week 8 brought some hope in a season filled with nothing but disappointment.
Thanksgiving has come and gone. The Boston Bruins are battling for a playoff spot and Anton Khudobin is the team’s MVP. Imagine at the beginning of the season if I told you that Anton Khudobin was the team’s best goalie and has a 2.22 goals against average (4th best in the league), a .932 save percentage (3rd best in the league). You’d think I was insane.
But, that’s the truth for the Bruins right now. Khudobin gives the Bruins the best chance to win, and even the biggest Tuukka Rask defender can’t argue that point. But, let’s relax with the trade Tuukka talks. Khudobin will cool off and still be an extremely capable backup.
Even with being killed by injuries this season, the Bruins still have playoff aspirations and in the long run, Rask will be the one in goal. Right now though, you ride Khudobin as long as he’s playing like a top 5 goalie. In terms of on ice action, the Bruins played three games this week, against some top quality competition.
They first faced off against the Devils on Wednesday night in New Jersey, before heading home to face the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions Pittsburgh Penguins in a Black Friday matinee. The week wrapped up with a late afternoon game against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.
Game 1: New Jersey Devils
Riding a two game win streak, the Bruins got off to a quick start as the Bruins got the first two goals of the game as Jake DeBrusk scored just about 1 minute into the game. Patrice Bergeron doubled the lead halfway through the period. The Devils got one back as Jesper Bratt scored one late in the 1st on the PP.
The Bruins remained in control until late in the third period as Brian Gibbons knocked one home and tied up the game at 2. The third period ended tied and we needed OT. The extra 5 minutes still weren’t enough and we had the shootout. After Taylor Hall and David Pastrnak each scored, the shootout became a showcase for the goalies, until Charlie McAvoy unleashed a nasty move and roofed one to end the game and the Bruins emerged with the win.
Full recap here.
Game 2: Pittsburgh Penguins
On Black Friday, the Bruins hosted the Penguins and got off to another quick start. Like the previous game, the Bruins scored twice in the opening frame. The Bruins got goals from David Krejci and Sean Kuraly and ended the period up 2-0.
At the beginning of the 2nd period, Jake Guentzel scored on the PP to make it 2-1. Halfway through the period, Matt Grzelcyk scored his first career NHL goal and gave the Bruins a 3-1 lead. However, the Penguins would equalize before the period ended. They got goals from Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby and the game was tied 3-3 at the end of the second period. Just a reminder, that Crosby’s goal was garbage, and the NHL should be embarrassed by it.
Both teams were looking for the winner in the final frame, but it was the Bruins that found the winning goal on Friday afternoon. David Pastrnak scored on a breakaway to give the Bruins a 4-3 lead. The Bruins held the Penguins scoreless the rest of the game and they held on for their fourth win in a row.
Full recap here.
Game 3: Edmonton Oilers
Looking for their fifth win in a row, the Bruins hosted the Oilers and again scored first. David Pastrnak scored on the PP to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead in the first. The Oilers responded in the second period as Patrick Maroon and Adam Larsson scored to give the Oilers the lead. Just 70 seconds later, the Bruins tied the game as David Krejci put one home just outside the crease on a quick rush.
Heading into the third period, the Bruins were unable to find a winner this time as Ryan Strome scored early in the period to give the Oilers a 3-2 lead. Leon Draisaitl scored the empty netter, giving the Oilers a 4-2 victory.
Full recap here.
The Road Ahead
The Bruins host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night before heading down to Philadelphia for a game against the Flyers on Saturday. Another two game week with lots of downtime in between. Perhaps good time for players to get healthy, and Khudobin to stay well rested.
Next: Bruins in the mix for any awards?
Predictions
The Bruins win streak ended on Sunday, and with only a two game week, I can see the Bruins earning a hard fought point on Wednesday before falling in a shootout to the Lightning. But, defeating the Flyers on Saturday to go 1-0-1 for the week.