Boston Bruins win third straight in shootout over Winnipeg

The Boston Bruins hosted the Winnipeg Jets tonight for their sixth game in nine days. The streaking Bruins were looking to extend their win streak to three games. 

In their last 15 games, prior to tonight, the Boston Bruins are 11-3-1. With the least amount of games played in the league and a constant plague of injuries since the start of the season, some are surprised to see the Bruins sitting securely in a divisional playoff spot.

Who was missing tonight? Adam McQuaid is slowly making his return to the team, but remains out. David Krejci is also on the shelf, still battling an upper-body injury. An illness seems to have gotten the best of a few forwards in the past 24 hours with Ryan Spooner and Riley Nash both out of the lineup tonight.

After a fast-paced, low-scoring and photo-finish game, the Bruins came out on top over the Jets 2-1 in a shootout. They have now won three straight games and don’t seem to be slowing down.

1st Period

The first period was scoreless, but by no means lacked action. Winnipeg came out flying around and the Bruins were able to match the intensity. Coming into tonight, the Jets were third overall in power play percentage at 25.2%.

They went on the man advantage twice during the first but Tuukka Rask and the Bruins were able to hold off their high-powered offense. The best chance came from a Patrick Laine shot from the top of the circle. That puck beat Rask but rang the post.

One note for Boston is the NHL debut of Colby Cave. He filled in at third-line center due to the absence of Krejci and Spooner.

2nd Period

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For the first time this season, the Bruins were tied 0-0 through two periods. This is many thanks to Tuukka Rask’s play between the pipes. This period the Jets outshot the Bruins 13 – 8. However, both goaltenders deserve most of the credit so far in this one. Connor Hellebuyck had been just as strong on his side in keeping a clean sheet through two.

Both teams continued with back and forth action and an up-tempo of play. Going into the third, it seemed like the first team to find the back of the net would be the eventual winner.

3rd Period

The Bruins were finally the first team to break the clean sheet. With 11:44 remaining in the third, Torey Krug blasted one from the point for his sixth goal of the season.

But, just 57 seconds later, the Jets pulled even. A broken play behind the net led to the puck squirting out front to Nikolaj Ehlers who made a nice pass to a wide-open Patrick Laine. Laine had all the time in the world to put it past a scrambling Rask for his third goal in as many games.

The third period continued to bring an uptempo play from both sides.Winnipeg finished regulation with 32 shots on net and the Bruins with 29. From early on, there was little doubt it would not come down to the final minutes. In fact, it was a shootout that was needed to decide this one.

Overtime

Heading into the OT period, the Jets are 0-5, but 1-0 in shootouts this season. The Bruins entered 1-4 and 1-1 in shootouts this season. 3 on 3 overtime hockey never disappoints. Both the Bruins and Jets had some quality chances throughout the five minutes.

Just like most of regulation, the level of effort from both sides was undeniable and it simply was just not in the cards for one of these teams to find the back of the net.

Shootout

A shootout was needed and truly fitting after a great night for both goaltenders. The Bruins came out on top 2-1 with a game-winner from the birthday boy Charlie McAvoy.

Order of Shooters:

Brian Little (WPG) – Goal

Brad Marchand (BOS) – Save

Patrick Laine (WPG) – Save

David Pastrnak (BOS) – Goal

Mark Scheifele (WPG) – Save

Patrice Bergeron (BOS) – Save

Nikolaj Ehlers (WPG) – Save

Charlie McAvoy (BOS) – Goal

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The Bruins have now won three straight. They now have 41 points and sit only two points behind Toronto with three games in hand! Their next game is at home against the Detroit Red Wings. This is the last game before heading into the Christmas break for the Bruins.