Recap: Shorthanded Bruins get point in OT loss to Lightning

If you had told me that the Boston Bruins, without Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy, brought the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning to overtime, I would’ve been pretty happy with the result.

But it’s hard not to feel slightly disappointed in the result last night.

The Bruins fell 3-2 in overtime to the Lightning on Saturday. They dominated most of the game against Tampa Bay, but Steven Stamkos fired a slap shot in over time to win the game.

Charlie Coyle and Curtis Lazar were the two goal-scorers from the Bruins.

1st period

Boston came out flying and controlled the pace of play in the first period. But it was a shorthanded goal by Taylor Raddysh that put the Lightning on the board first.

Mike Reilly got stuck with a slight hesitation on a 50-50 puck and Jeremy Swayman was caught cheating a bit. But it was a pretty nice goal from Raddysh, his first career NHL goal.

Another first period wehre the Bruins dominated, but had nothing to show for.

2nd period

Again the Bruins came out with a great start to the period. But luck was certainly not on their side.

Ondrej Palat threw a pass off the rush that deflected off the skate of Tomas Nosek and went past Swayman.

Palat was looking for Stamkos on the feed and certainly got some puck luck. Nothing Swayman could do about that one.

The Bruins continued to apply pressure but Andrei Vasilevskiy was fantastic. However, they finally broke through late in the second on an excellent feed from Erik Haula to Coyle.

There is something brewing between Coyle and Haula. I think there’s the potential to pair those two together on a line.

After two periods, Bruins found themselves down 2-1.

3rd period

Again, the Bruins put a lot of shots and had a few chances on Vasilevskiy. They brought through again with a Lazar backhand shot.

Boston got some luck from a bounce off the boards that kept the possession in their hands. Lazar ended up taking the puck to the slot and ripped a backhand over Vasilevskiy’s glove. Heck of a goal and we have yourselves a tie game.

Tampa began a push late in the period, but Swayman made save after save to keep the game tied. For just the second time this season, the Bruins went to overtime.

OT

In the opening minute, both goaltenders made big saves to keep the game alive.

David Pastrnak eventually went down on a breakaway, but was stopped by the Tampa netminder. The Lightning took the puck the other way on a 2 on 1 and Stamkos ended the night with an exclamation point.

For the first time this season, the Bruins got a point in an overtime/shootout loss. It was a big point, but a tough one to swallow considering how much they outplayed the Lightning. 3-2 OT loss nonetheless.

Notes

• I’ll start with this – the Bruins with no Marchand, no McAvoy, outshot, out-chanced and outplayed the Lightning. Yes, Tampa is also without Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point. But still, it was all four lines contributing all game long. Boston could have easily caved without those two but they fought and played a game they should have won against a good Lightning team
• Everyone was calling for a hook on Mikhail Sergachev on the Pastrnak breakaway. If that’s called, I’m not surprised. But I’m not sure how much of a hook there was. He lifted the stick, and it stuck for a half a second in the hands, but I wasn’t as upset about the call as most were
• Taylor Hall had chance after chance tonight. I really think he’s got something going with Pastrnak. I think those two need to stay together
• Jack Ahcan had a strong season debut. Bodied off Corey Perry, who is much bigger than Ahcan, at one point. In his 14:55 of ice time, Bruins held a 31-5 edge in shot attempts. Really good debut in 2021
• Swayman was huge late int he third when Tampa began to push. He made some big saves to keep the game tied and go into OT. Not as strong of a showing as Thursday of course, but this one wasn’t on him and like I said, kept it tied late
• Honestly, when was the last time the Bruins scored on an odd-man rush? Feels like forever. Too often there’s an extra pass trying to be made, or a shot not taken, or a pass that doesn’t connect
• Trent Frederic – great at using his body. But buddy, let’s work on collecting passes please?
• Vasilevskiy is so damn good man. Stole the game for Tampa Bay

Boston has a few days off before heading out west for a Canadian road trip against the Canucks, Oilers and Flames starting on Wednesday. Marchand will be back, hopefully McAvoy will be as well.

Bittersweet feeling not getting the two points against the Lightning, but a point was grabbed which is always a positive.