Some arenas in the NHL have been a house of horrors at times for the Boston Bruins, and one of those places is PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The Bruins have had some good battles against the Penguins there, but a lot of times it ends with them on the wrong end of the score and frustrated.
Leading 3-1 in the second period, the Bruins scored what turned out to be three unanswered goals late in the second and in the third on their way to a 6-2 win and their third straight win in six days. Here are three takeaways after the Black and Gold improved to 12-4-1.
Bruins have a strong first-period response to falling in an early hole
After not allowing a shot for nearly half of the opening period, the Bruins allowed their first shot midway through the period, and former Boston forward Justin Brazeau beat Michael DiPietro for his first goal of the season. Because why not, right?
Anyway, the Bruins had a great response, something that was much needed. They scored three goals before the period ended and took a 3-1 lead into the locker room. Pavel Zacha scored his first of two goals to tie the game, then Mark Kastelic tipped a shot from the point for a 2-1 lead. Elias Lindholm then scored on a breakaway after stealing a pass in the offensive zone. It was the response you wanted to see.
James Hagens left in the third period with an apparent injury
The Bruins took a 5-2 lead into the third period, but lost young forward James Hagens to an injury. He made a move around Penguins defenseman Sam Girard and tried to break in alone on Pittsburgh goalie Arturs Silovs, but Girard unleashed a cross-check into the back of Hagens, who immediately winced in pain.
He went to the bench and was worked on by the trainer, but he ended up getting up and going down the tunnel to the locker room and never returned. Hopefully it's nothing serious, as Hagens has been playing very well, but he did appear to be in some discomfort.
Bruins stayed out of the penalty box
One storyline for the Bruins early this season, despite the success they have been having, was the number of penalties that they have taken at times in games. Charlie McAvoy took all three against the Vegas Golden Knights in Monday night's 3-2 shootout win.
Ask Nikita Zadorov what happens when you take too many penalties. He was scratched against the Los Angeles Kings last month. Against Pittsburgh, they were only whistled for one minor, by Zacha in the second period for tripping, and Boston killed it off. It's funny how things go when you stay out of the penalty box, no?
The Black and Gold are off until Sunday, when they host the Florida Panthers in an afternoon game at the TD Garden.
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