They say that a playoff series is not really a series until the home team loses a game in the best-of-seven format. Monday night, the Boston Bruins did what they set out to do at the beginning of the series – they won a game on the road.
Trailing the Washington Capitals, 1-0, following a 3-2 overtime loss Saturday night, the Black and Gold returned the favor with a late third-period goal from Taylor Hall to tie the game, then Brad Marchand won the game 39 seconds into overtime for a 4-3 victory at Capital One Arena that tied the series 1-1 as it shifts to the TD Garden for Games 3 and 4 beginning Wednesday night.
Let’s take a look at some takeaways from a Bruins’ win that has turned the series into a best-of-five.
Bruins Takeaways
- There was a lot of speculation on how the Bruins would come out to begin the game and it was a strong response. They came out flying and supplied a lot of pressure on Caps goalie Craig Anderson. It paid off with Jake DeBrusk opening the scoring at 5:05 into the game.
- Boy, did Boston play with fire and not get burned as bad as they could have? Washington went 1-for-4 on the power play, but it was two third-period penalties the Bruins survived almost back-to-back. Nick Ritchie took a penalty for roughing, then Taylor Hall was called for tripping 42 seconds later. Boston killed both penalties, but did allow a go-ahead goal to Garnet Hathaway 11 seconds following Hall’s penalty.
- With the series in the balance, you could say, the Bruins responded to the challenge late in the third period and tied the game when Hall stuffed home a loose puck with 2:49 left in the game. At the end of regulation, DeBrusk nearly won the game when he broke in 2-on-1 with Ritchie, but Craig Anderson made a save going side-to-side for force OT.
- The Bruins had 47 shots on the net in regulation. The goal entering the game was to get as many shots as possible Anderson who had just played in four games in the regular season and most of Game 1 in relief of Vitek Vanecek.
- It was a wide-open first period for both sides. Each team registered 18 shots on the net and two goals. It was a fun period to watch.
- Something that might get lost, but shouldn’t, is the pass by Matt Grzelcyk on Marchand’s overtime winner. As good as it gets for a defenseman. Also, David Krejci’s play to steal the clearing attempt was a big part of the play too.
The first two games in the Nations Capital have been fun. Something tells me we’re in for a long series as it heads back to Boston.