The Boston Bruins started the homestand with a tough 4-3 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings
The Boston Bruins had a great chance to start their homestand with a victory over the Los Angeles Kings. The Bruins are one of the best teams in the East, while the Kings find themselves at the bottom of the West. Unfortunately, Boston let this golden opportunity pass.
Boston fell to Los Angeles 4-3 in thanks to an Anze Kopitar winner. The Bruins earned a point, but that’s simply not good enough against a team like Los Angeles.
The Bruins fell behind in the first period, but Danton Heinen tied it late in the period when the puck deflected off his skate and into the net. Heinen now has the second-most power play goals on the team.
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After the Kings regained a one-goal lead, Boston again tied it when Patrice Bergeron beat Jonathan Quick with a wrister. Bergeron continues to show no rust after his injury absence.
Brandon Carlo gave the Bruins their first lead of the night early in the third period. This was his third goal of the season, one more than he had all of last year.
The Bruins had a number of chances to extend the lead in the third period, but nobody could finish. Brad Marchand in particular had a great shift where he practically did everything but score.
These types of missed opportunities usually come back to bite teams, and that was the case against Los Angeles. With the goalie pulled and a little over two minutes remaining, the Kings scored to send the game into overtime.
Missed breakaways cost the Bruins in overtime
We pretty much saw more of the same in overtime. The Bruins generated quality chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. Two chances stand out.
Sean Kuraly made a nice steal that sent Anders Bjork on a breakway. Bjork made the correct read when Quick made an aggressive move, but he couldn’t finish upstairs.
Bergeron then got a breakaway from the red line, but he too couldn’t beat Quick. Credit to Quick for these breakaway saves, but the Bruins can’t miss those types of opportunities.
The Kings, after all those Bruins chances, had their chance to end it on a 2 on 1, and Kopitar beat Tuukka Rask short side. Los Angeles escaped with the extra point against a better Bruins team.
With three playoff teams on the upcoming schedule, the Bruins needed two points against the Kings. They had their chances and should have won the game, but that was not to be on Tuesday night.
Next up, the Bruins take on a more challenging opponent in the New York Islanders. We’ll see on Thursday if Boston can bounce back and add one more to the win column.