The Bruins got the result they wanted Monday night, but Charlie McAvoy still found himself in the crosshairs after Boston’s 3-2 shootout win over the Vegas Golden Knights at TD Garden.
Boston had built a 2-0 lead in the second period and looked in control before the game started to tilt. McAvoy was called for holding with 5:10 left in the middle frame, his second minor penalty of the night after an interference call in the first period. Vegas captain Mark Stone made the Bruins pay eight seconds later, burying a loose puck past Jeremy Swayman to cut the lead to 2-1.
McAvoy wasn’t done with the officials, either. As he came out of the penalty box, he had words for referee Jon McIsaac and was assessed an unsportsmanlike penalty, giving the Golden Knights another power play. Boston killed that one off, but Trevor Connelly tied the game in the third period before David Pastrnak sealed it in the shootout.
Afterward, Bruins coach Marco Sturm didn’t hide his frustration with his defenseman.
“I didn't like the first, his first penalty at all,'' said Sturm. "I was trying to get an answer from the refs that I didn't get.
I didn't ask Charlie yet what happened on the second one, but that's something he needs to control, right? So that's on him then.''
Sturm’s point was simple: McAvoy has to keep his emotions in check. At the same time, the sequence left room for debate.
McIsaac had already been involved in a messy first-period call on McAvoy, one that didn’t get whistled until Connelly was down on the ice hurt. The officials initially called a major, then reviewed it and downgraded it to a minor for interference.
McAvoy ended up being charged with all three Bruins minor penalties in the game, and Boston escaped with the win anyway. It was the sixth straight home victory for the Bruins, and Sturm’s message to one of his top defensemen was unmistakable heading into Thursday night’s visit to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In Other News...
James Hagens Is Giving Bruins Fans A Reason To Believe
James Hagens gave Bruins fans an early jolt in a tense night against Vegas, opening the scoring in Bostons 3-2 win that needed overtime and a shootout to be settled. The result pushed the Bruins to 11-4-1 and offered another reminder that the rookie can already tilt a game in a meaningful moment, especially in a matchup that stayed tight from start to finish.
Boston still had to survive plenty after that fast start, with the Golden Knights pushing the game beyond regulation and forcing the Bruins into a skills competition. Jeremy Swayman handled everything Vegas threw at him in the shootout, and David Pastrnak delivered the finishing touch, but Hagens goal was the kind of spark that made the night feel like more than just another two points. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Fans Are Starting To Push Back On Marco Sturms Hagens Plan
James Hagens has given the Bruins plenty to like in the opening stretch of his rookie season, and that has naturally led to a bigger conversation about how quickly his role should grow. The young forward has looked comfortable enough to make fans and some observers wonder why he is not being leaned on more when games tighten up, especially with Boston looking for reliable options it can trust in key moments.
Marco Sturm, though, has been measured about that next step. He has pointed to the need to build Hagens up gradually and has been wary of handing him more late-game responsibility too soon, a stance that is starting to draw pushback from a fan base eager to see the rookie rewarded for his strong start. The debate now is less about whether Hagens belongs and more about how much the Bruins are willing to ask of him right away. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Have A Huge Chance To Take Control Of The Atlantic
The Bruins have given themselves a real cushion early, and now the schedule is about to hand them a chance to deepen it. After a strong start at TD Garden and a place atop the Atlantic, Boston is moving into a home-heavy stretch that could go a long way toward shaping the division race before winter really settles in.
This is the kind of run that can separate a contender from a team merely hanging around, especially with the Bruins trying to bank points against the kind of opponents theyll need to beat if they want to secure their playoff position. The atmosphere around the building should only add to the moment, with a pair of notable TD Garden events set to give the homestand even more weight. [Read more 🡒]