The Bruins opened November with a result they badly needed, and they had to sweat for it.
Boston built a 2-0 lead against the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday night at TD Garden, then watched that cushion slip away before finally pulling out a 3-2 shootout win. The victory pushed the Bruins to 11-4-1 and gave them their sixth straight home win as they started a month in which nine of their 11 games are set for the Garden.
James Hagens gave Boston the early spark again. The rookie has now scored six times in the first 16 games of the season, and his latest came in the first period after Carter Hart made a strong stick save to deny Nikita Zadorov on an open net.
The play stayed alive in the offensive zone, the puck found Hagens in front, and he chipped it over Hart’s shoulder for the 1-0 lead. He keeps showing the same thing: no hesitation when it’s time to go to the net and finish.
The second period brought a much tougher stretch for Boston, and it started with a scary moment for Matthew Poitras. Skating through center ice, he took Braeden Bowman’s elbow straight to the face and went down bleeding.
No penalty was called at first, but the officials stopped play, met, and handed Bowman a five-minute major. After review, the call stood and a game misconduct was added.
Boston cashed in on the power play when Morgan Geekie scored for a 2-0 lead, giving him goals in back-to-back games. But the Bruins couldn’t build on it.
They had more chances with the man advantage and didn’t finish, getting caught overpassing at times. That missed opportunity loomed large after Vegas scored on the power play and then got a third-period goal from Trevor Connelly to force overtime.
Poitras did return later in the second period, but he did not play again.
In the end, David Pastrnak delivered the finishing touch. He had already picked up a secondary assist on Geekie’s goal, then stepped up in the shootout after Connelly, Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner came up empty for Vegas and Casey Mittlestadt and Fraser Minten missed on Boston’s first two tries. Pastrnak made a slick move on Hart and buried the winner.
It was a strong early-season test for both teams, and Boston got the second point it needed. With 16 points still to play for at home this month, the Bruins have already handled the first one.
In Other News...
Bruins May Have A Bigger Opportunity Than Don Sweeney Can Ignore
Bostons retool has put the club in an unusual position for a team that spent the past couple of years reshaping its core: it is not just competitive, it is sitting on top of the Atlantic Division with the best points percentage in the group. The mix looks different now, with younger pieces like Fraser Minten and James Hagens joining established pillars such as David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy, while rookie coach Marco Sturm has helped steer a group that also has real depth in goal with Jeremy Swayman and Michael DiPietro.
All of that gives Don Sweeney something more interesting than a routine deadline calculation. The Bruins already have three first-round picks in upcoming drafts, which means they have the kind of draft capital that can actually open doors if a bigger swing presents itself. The question is whether Boston treats this as a team to keep building patiently, or as one with enough present-day momentum to chase a far more ambitious opportunity if the right one comes into view. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Suddenly Have A Real Shot In The Dylan Larkin Sweepstakes
The Dylan Larkin chatter around the league has put the Bruins in an interesting spot, with Boston among several teams monitoring a situation that still has plenty of moving parts. Trade talks involving the Red Wings captain are ongoing, and the fact that multiple clubs are circling only adds to the intrigue for a Bruins team that would love to find itself in the mix if the door opens.
For now, the process appears to be exactly that - a process - with no deal in place and no clear resolution on where things go next. Montreal, Buffalo and other interested teams are also trying to position themselves, while Larkin and his agent believe a move is possible, which keeps Boston's hopes alive as the situation continues to develop. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Now Face A Matthew Poitras Concern Before Pittsburgh
Matthew Poitras remained a notable concern for the Bruins on the eve of their trip to Pittsburgh after head coach Marco Sturm said the forward stayed out for the entire practice. Poitras has been dealing with the injury he suffered against Vegas, and Boston is at least planning to have him travel with the team as it prepares for the next game.
The Bruins have leaned on Poitras for secondary scoring this season, with the young forward posting seven points in 12 games. His status now adds another layer of uncertainty to a lineup that has already had to adjust on the fly, and the next checkpoint will come after he gets checked out again. [Read more 🡒]