David Pastrnak delivered the finishing touch Monday night, and the Bruins needed every bit of it.
Boston beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 in a shootout at TD Garden, improving to 11-4-1 after surviving a game that swung back and forth before Pastrnak ended it. Vegas fell to 9-5-2.
The Bruins got on the board first when James Hagens scored at 7:23 of the opening period, finishing a chance set up by Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov. That goal stood as the only one of the first period, even though both teams had power-play chances.
Boston’s first came after Brett Howden was penalized for tripping at 7:34, and Vegas answered later when Charlie McAvoy was sent off for interference at 15:40. Neither side cashed in.
Boston added to the lead early in the second. Morgan Geekie scored on the power play at 3:23, with Pavel Zacha and Pastrnak collecting the assists. The Bruins were working with the man advantage after Braeden Bowman received a five-minute major for elbowing Matthew Poitras at 2:49, along with a 10-minute game misconduct.
Vegas answered before the period ended. Mark Stone scored on the power play at 14:58, trimming the Bruins’ lead to 2-1 after McAvoy was called for holding at 14:50. McAvoy then picked up a minor unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, but Boston killed that off too and carried a one-goal edge into the third.
The Golden Knights tied it at 2 when Trevor Connelly scored at 7:23 of the third, with Noah Hanifin and Mitch Marner on the assist. From there, both teams came up empty through the rest of regulation and through overtime.
That sent the game to a shootout, where Pastrnak was the only player to score. His goal gave Boston the 3-2 win and capped a night that featured a little bit of everything: special teams swings, a third-period push from Vegas, and a final answer from the Bruins’ top scorer.
Boston now heads to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins on Thursday night. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on NESN.
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 🡒]