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Boston Bruins: Power Play Sparks 3-1 Series Lead

By Scott Roche

May 21, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Brad Marchand (63) tries to deflect the puck past Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) while defenseman Nick Jensen (3) looks on during the second period in game four of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Brad Marchand (63) tries to deflect the puck past Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) while defenseman Nick Jensen (3) looks on during the second period in game four of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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With a chance to put the Washington Capitals on the brink of elimination, the Boston Bruins got goals from four different players to win, 4-1, at the TD Garden Friday for a commanding 3-1 series lead after winning the last three games.

A welcomed sight for the Black and Gold in the game was their power play came alive and spearheaded the victory.

Boston took a 1-0 lead in the second period when Brad Marchand deflected a David Pastrnak shot by Capitals goalie Ilya Samsonov.

The goal was first given to Pastrnak, but later changed to Marchand. It would have been nice to see Pastrnak find the back of the net for the first time in the series, which he finally did early in the third period.

With the Bruins beginning the period on another power play, Pasta found the back of the net 29 seconds into the final stanza when he ripped a wrist shot past Samsonov for a 2-0 lead. Then 34 seconds later, Boston native Charlie Coyle gave the Bruins a 3-0 lead when he buried a rebound off the boards with a backhander.

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Washington cut the deficit to 3-1 4:54 into the third period on a power play goal, but once again, the Bruins power play responded when Capitals forward Anthony Mantha was called for a minor when he ran over Tuukka Rask in his crease.

While Coyle, from East Weymouth, Massachusetts, gave the Black and Gold a three-goal early in the period, another Boston native, defensemen Matt Grzelcyk from Charlestown, Massachusetts regained the three-goal and essentially put the game away with 5:10 left in the game.

Grzelcyk took a pass from Charlie McAvoy and blew a slap shot over Samsonov and under the crossbar for a 4-1 lead.

The power play, which struggled at the end of the season and in the first three games came alive Friday night and allowed the Bruins to take a 3-1 lead back to Capital One Arena Sunday night.

Related Story. Burins Need to shutdown the Capitals' fourth line. light

The Bruins made the Capitals pay in Game 3 for mistakes and in Game 4, they made them pay for taking penalties.

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