Tag: Boston Bruins

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NFL (American Football)

Washington Capitals Target Fourth Home Win Hosting Bruins in Competitive Eastern Conference Clash Tuesday

Washington Capitals Target Fourth Home Win Hosting Bruins in Competitive Eastern Conference Clash Tuesday
Washington Capitals Target Fourth Home Win Hosting Bruins in Competitive Eastern Conference Clash Tuesday

The Washington Capitals (24-10-2) will host the Boston Bruins (20-14-4) on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. EST as they aim to extend their three-game home winning streak. The Capitals are strong at home with an 11-4-2 record and have excelled on special teams, boasting a 10-4-0 record in games where they score at least one power-play goal. Meanwhile, the Bruins come into the matchup with an 8-8-2 road record and have performed impressively in high-scoring games, holding a 16-2-0 record when netting three or more goals.

This will be the second meeting between the teams this season, with Boston having claimed a 4-1 victory in their previous encounter. Both teams have shown competitive form recently, with the Capitals winning six of their last ten games and averaging 2.7 goals per contest while conceding just 2.2. Similarly, the Bruins have gone 6-3-1 over their last ten games, scoring three goals per game on average but allowing the same number defensively.

Washington Capitals Target Fourth Home Win Hosting Bruins in Competitive Eastern Conference Clash Tuesday
Washington Capitals Target Fourth Home Win Hosting Bruins in Competitive Eastern Conference Clash Tuesday

Key players to watch include Washington’s Dylan Strome, who has contributed 11 goals and 28 assists this season, and Pierre-Luc Dubois, who has been in fine form recently with two goals and eight assists in his last ten games. For Boston, Brad Marchand continues to be a standout performer with 15 goals and 16 assists, while Morgan Geekie has been a strong contributor with four goals and four assists in his last ten outings.

Neither team reports any injuries heading into the game, setting the stage for a competitive and evenly matched contest. With both squads in solid form and key players delivering consistent performances, this clash in Washington promises to be an engaging matchup between two strong contenders in their respective divisions.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Rangers look to address issues as Bruins visit

Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers

The New York Rangers have been struggling in recent weeks, and now they face another challenge with the injury to goaltender Igor Shesterkin. The Rangers will play without him for at least three games, starting with Thursday’s matchup against the Boston Bruins, the last two teams to win the Presidents’ Trophy for the best regular season record.

New York has gone 4-15-0 in their last 19 games, a slide that began after a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 19. Shesterkin was hurt during Monday’s 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers, where he allowed four goals.

He had also given up five goals in the loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday. Shesterkin is now on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, and he will miss at least the Bruins game as well as the next two road games against the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks. Jonathan Quick will start in goal, with Louis Domingue as the backup.

While the Rangers hope Shesterkin’s absence is short, they’re looking to avoid a fifth straight loss, which would tie their worst streak of the season. Their current four-game losing streak has seen them outscored 19-6. Shesterkin himself has struggled recently, with a 1-5-0 record in his last six starts.

Igor Shesterkin makes a save in the 1st period

During their 19-game slump, the Rangers have lost 11 times by two or more goals. In their last game against the Panthers, they battled back from an early 2-0 deficit, tying the game twice through goals from Filip Chytil, Ryan Lindgren, and Chris Kreider.

Despite their effort, they couldn’t get the equalizer. Artemi Panarin acknowledged that while the team is playing better, they’re still losing: “It’s hard to be happy with (playing well), because we’re still losing.”

The Bruins, under interim coach Joe Sacco, have gone 12-6-1 since he replaced Jim Montgomery. They’ve won four straight games and are 5-2-1 in their last eight. In their most recent game on Tuesday, a 3-1 loss to Washington, they struggled with execution.

Despite taking 83 shots, only 27 hit the target. Sacco pointed out that they need to improve their offensive entries and get closer to the net. David Pastrnak, who has been struggling since returning from an injury, has not scored in five of the last six games.

The Rangers won all three meetings with Boston last season, after the Bruins had swept them in the 2022-23 campaign.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Aliaksei Protas nets two goals in Capitals’ win over Bruins in Washington

Washington Capitals (NHL)

The Washington Capitals won 3-1 over the Boston Bruins in a New Year’s Eve game on Tuesday. The Capitals scored twice in a span of 5:06 during the first period and held on for the victory.

Aliaksei Protas scored two goals, with Jakob Chychrun adding the game-winning goal for Washington. The Capitals overcame an early one-goal deficit to get their second win in three games, bouncing back from a 4-1 loss to Boston on December 23.

Tom Wilson provided two assists, and Logan Thompson made 11 of his 26 saves in the third period to secure his third consecutive win. Chychrun’s goal was his 11th of the season, tying him for the most goals among defensemen in the NHL.

Justin Brazeau scored the Bruins’ only goal, his third in four games, while Jeremy Swayman made 24 saves for Boston, which finished the month of December with a 9-4-1 record despite losing two of its last three games.

Both teams had 27 shots on goal. Washington went 1-for-2 on the power play and blocked 28 shots, which helped them win the game.

Boston Bruins (NHL)

Boston started strong, getting the first five shots of the game, but the Capitals answered back with a lucky bounce leading to the opening goal at 1:21. Parker Wotherspoon’s dump-in bounced off the end wall, right to Brazeau in the low slot, who then scored.

Washington tied the game at 12:05, with Pierre-Luc Dubois passing to Protas, who scored over Swayman’s shoulder. Chychrun gave the Capitals the lead with a power-play goal at 17:11, firing a shot from the top of the circle.

Boston struggled with two power plays in the second period and only managed four shots in the final frame’s first 12 minutes. In the last few minutes, the Bruins tried to push back, but Thompson made key saves on David Pastrnak, and Washington held on after Swayman was pulled for an extra attacker.

Protas sealed the game with an empty-net goal with 8.9 seconds left.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Swayman Shuts Out Blue Jackets in Bruins’ 4-0 Win, Pastrnak Adds Breakaway Goal

Swayman Shuts Out Blue Jackets in Bruins’ 4-0 Win, Pastrnak Adds Breakaway Goal
Swayman Shuts Out Blue Jackets in Bruins’ 4-0 Win, Pastrnak Adds Breakaway Goal

The Boston Bruins secured a decisive 4-0 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, with Jeremy Swayman delivering a stellar performance in goal, stopping all 18 shots for his second shutout of the season. David Pastrnak led the offense with a highlight-worthy breakaway goal, while Morgan Geekie, Justin Brazeau, and Cole Koepke also found the back of the net. This win allowed the Bruins to bounce back from a tough loss the night before, splitting the home-and-home series with Columbus.

The Bruins demonstrated their resilience and strong form, securing their fifth win in seven games. Swayman’s recent performances have been a cornerstone for Boston’s success, as he improved to 7-1-1 over his last nine starts. On the defensive side, the team rallied after a scare when Charlie McAvoy took a hard hit that sent him to the locker room briefly before he returned to the ice, underscoring Boston’s grit.

Swayman Shuts Out Blue Jackets in Bruins’ 4-0 Win, Pastrnak Adds Breakaway Goal
Swayman Shuts Out Blue Jackets in Bruins’ 4-0 Win, Pastrnak Adds Breakaway Goal

David Pastrnak’s goal came at a crucial moment in the game, increasing the Bruins’ lead to 3-0 in the second period. Taking a pass from Morgan Geekie at center ice, Pastrnak broke in alone and skillfully beat Columbus goalie Daniil Tarasov with a precise wrist shot. Geekie’s earlier unassisted goal, capitalizing on a Columbus defensive mistake, had already set the tone for Boston, giving them a 2-0 advantage and firm control of the game.

Columbus, despite entering the game with momentum from three wins in four games, struggled to generate offense against Boston’s tight defense. Their power play, which had been a strength in their lopsided win on Friday, was ineffective, managing only one shot on goal during a critical four-minute opportunity in the second period. This marked a stark contrast to their prior success, where they had gone 3-for-3 on the power play.

Looking ahead, the Blue Jackets will aim to regroup as they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, while the Bruins travel to Washington to face the Capitals. Boston’s defensive discipline and timely scoring will be key to sustaining their strong form under interim coach Joe Sacco, who has guided the team to a 12-5-1 record since taking over.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Swayman Shuts Out Blue Jackets 4-0 as Bruins Bounce Back with Strong Team Effort

Swayman Shuts Out Blue Jackets 4-0 as Bruins Bounce Back with Strong Team Effort
Swayman Shuts Out Blue Jackets 4-0 as Bruins Bounce Back with Strong Team Effort

Jeremy Swayman led the Boston Bruins to a 4-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, recording 18 saves for his second shutout of the season and 14th of his NHL career. Swayman credited the strong team effort, highlighting the support from the defense and forwards, which contributed to the feel-good win. The Bruins bounced back from a 6-2 loss to Columbus the night before, improving to 5-1-1 in their past seven games. Bruins head coach Joe Sacco praised his team’s commitment and professionalism, noting the solid defensive play and shot-blocking efforts even late in the game.

Morgan Geekie was a key contributor, registering a goal and an assist in the win, while Justin Brazeau, David Pastrnak, and Cole Koepke also found the back of the net for Boston. Despite the loss, Columbus had their four-game point streak snapped, with goaltender Daniil Tarasov making 24 saves in his first start since December 5. Columbus forward Mathieu Olivier acknowledged that while their road game wasn’t bad, mistakes led to goals, especially after the Blue Jackets gave up several turnovers that the Bruins capitalized on.

Swayman Shuts Out Blue Jackets 4-0 as Bruins Bounce Back with Strong Team Effort
Swayman Shuts Out Blue Jackets 4-0 as Bruins Bounce Back with Strong Team Effort

The game’s scoring began early with Brazeau putting the Bruins ahead 1-0 just 2:29 into the first period. He converted a rebound off a shot by Brandon Carlo. The Bruins extended their lead in the second period, with Geekie scoring at 6:29. He capitalized on a turnover by Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson, firing a wrist shot past Tarasov from the left circle to make it 2-0. Geekie’s goal came after Severson’s blind puck clearance left the slot open.

The Bruins’ lead increased to 3-0 at 8:18 of the second period when Pastrnak scored on a breakaway, taking advantage of another Columbus turnover. The Blue Jackets continued to struggle with puck management, as defenseman Dante Fabbro admitted mistakes on several goals, including one he directly contributed to by turning over the puck at the blue line. Koepke sealed the win with a 4-0 goal at 6:06 of the third period, scoring on a wrist shot after collecting a loose puck in the neutral zone and beating Tarasov on a rush.

In addition to the win, the Bruins saw the NHL debut of forward Fabian Lysell, who was recalled from the AHL’s Providence Bruins. Lysell was on the ice for the first goal of the game and played 11:32 in total, finishing with a plus-1 rating. Sacco was pleased with Lysell’s performance, noting that he played responsibly without the puck and showed composure in his first game. The balanced team effort, with contributions from all lines and defensive players, helped the Bruins execute their game plan and maintain control throughout the contest.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Blue Jackets aim for back-to-back wins over Bruins in home-and-home series

Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)

The Columbus Blue Jackets will try to stay on a roll and complete a three-game season sweep when they visit the Boston Bruins on Saturday for the second game of a home-and-home series.

The Blue Jackets won 6-2 at home on Friday, marking their second straight win and extending their point streak to four games (3-0-1). They have outscored the Bruins 11-3 in the first two meetings.

“I think we were excited to get back to play after the break,” said Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan, referring to the team’s three-day Christmas break. “Guys were moving the puck well, and we were finding the back of the net. We’ve got to keep that up and be consistent with that.”

The key to consistency will be building on their strong performance in the rematch. Four Blue Jackets players had multiple points, and a four-goal second period was the difference on Friday.

With a one-goal, two-assist effort, Kirill Marchenko extended his point streak to seven games (four goals, nine assists). He has been strong on a line with Dmitri Voronkov and Monahan, who both scored twice.

“They’re the line that drives our team,” said defenseman Zach Werenski, who had four assists.

The Blue Jackets have already won in Boston, taking a 5-1 victory on Nov. 18. The following morning, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery was fired and replaced by interim coach Joe Sacco, who has since posted an 11-5-1 record.

Columbus has struggled on the road with a 4-11-3 record, compared to 11-4-3 at home.

“We have to be better on the road if we’re going to get to where we want to go,” said Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason. “(Friday’s) game has to roll into (Saturday).”

Boston is currently on a five-game home winning streak.

Boston Bruins (NHL)

The Bruins’ recent five-game point streak (4-0-1) came to an end with Friday’s loss, which followed a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Monday.

Charlie Coyle scored for the third straight game, and captain Brad Marchand recorded an assist, extending his point streak to 11 games (seven goals, seven assists). Despite Sacco’s success, the Bruins are still showing inconsistent play.

“The three-day break didn’t have as much toll on them as it did on us,” said Sacco. “We just have to be better, all of us.”

Boston’s penalty kill has struggled recently, killing only 14 of 24 power plays (58.3 percent) over the last nine games. Earlier in the season, the Bruins had a 71.4 percent penalty kill rate.

Before Friday’s 3-for-3 power-play performance, the Blue Jackets had not scored more than once on the power-play in a game all season. Boston’s second-period issues also came from losing key battles.

“You can’t win many games when you’re being outworked like that,” Coyle said. “That’s embarrassing.” For the Bruins, responding quickly on home ice will be crucial.

“We didn’t play up to our standards (on Friday). I certainly didn’t play up to mine,” said Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy. “The best part of this league is you get to turn a new leaf every single day. So, we’re going to leave this one here and we get a chance to get it right (Saturday).”

Before this season, the Bruins had only lost once in their previous nine matchups with the Blue Jackets.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Blue Jackets dominate Bruins in opening game of home-and-home series

Columbus Blue Jackets and Boston Bruins

The Columbus Blue Jackets dominated the Boston Bruins with a 6-2 win in the first game of their home-and-home series on Friday night, thanks to a strong four-goal second period. They went 3-for-3 on the power play.

Dmitri Voronkov scored twice and added an assist, all in the second period, while Sean Monahan also netted two goals. Columbus scored three times in just 2:47 to break a 1-1 tie after the first period.

Kirill Marchenko had a goal and two assists, extending his point streak to seven games. Adam Fantilli also scored, and Zach Werenski had a career-high four assists. Elvis Merzlikins made 23 saves, helping the Blue Jackets improve to 3-0-1 in their last four games.

For the Bruins, Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle each scored, and Joonas Korpisalo made 27 saves in the loss. The Bruins had been unbeaten in their last five games (4-0-1).

Columbus Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets

Fantilli started the Blue Jackets’ scoring burst in the second period, getting a pass from Voronkov and scoring at 7:00. They went up 3-1 at 8:13 when Monahan scored after a rebound from Dante Fabbro’s shot.

Voronkov then scored two power-play goals. The first came at 9:47, finishing a pass from Kent Johnson, and the second came with 45.7 seconds left in the period, tapping in a shot from Marchenko to make it 5-1.

Marchenko scored early in the third period, converting a rebound into a 6-1 lead. Monahan added another power-play goal at 11:29.

The Bruins tied the game at 1-1 in the first period when Zacha scored from a pass by David Pastrnak after a turnover behind the net.

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The Bruins carry a five-game points streak into their matchup with the Blue Jackets

Boston Bruins (NHL)

The Boston Bruins will look to extend their recent success after the NHL’s three-day holiday break when they face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday to start a home-and-home series.

Boston’s 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Monday gave them momentum, marking a five-game points streak (4-0-1) for the first time this season.

Although not all of the games have gone perfectly, Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco is happy with what he’s seen from a team that holds a top-three spot in the Atlantic Division.

“It’s trending in the right direction,” Sacco said. “We have a process we go through every night, and they’re checking most of the boxes. There’s going to be games when you’re not at your best, but we’ve shown lately, too, when we’re not at our best we can find ways to win.”

The Bruins played well in their most recent game, holding Washington to just 11 shots on goaltender Jeremy Swayman and scoring three goals in the third period to secure the win.

Elias Lindholm sparked Boston’s comeback with the game-winning goal, and 36-year-old captain Brad Marchand (one goal, two assists) became the oldest Bruins player to record points in 10 consecutive games.

“We haven’t been great in the third period all year, and to play like that against a team like Washington, that’s all we have to do every night,” Marchand said.

Despite the strong performance, Boston has scored the fewest goals in the final period in the NHL this season, with only 27.

Marchand has been a key contributor, scoring seven of his team-leading 15 goals in December alone.

Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)

The Bruins will also hope for good news about David Pastrnak, who left Monday’s game with an upper-body injury in the second period and did not return.

The Blue Jackets have won only two of their last eight games (2-3-3), with both victories coming in the last three games. Their latest win was a 5-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday, with Kirill Marchenko scoring the game-winner and finishing with three points (one goal, two assists) in a career-high 23:17 of ice time.

Marchenko has been a standout player for Columbus, leading the team with 13 goals and 37 points this season. He is on a six-game points streak (three goals, seven assists) and has been developing strong chemistry with Dmitri Voronkov and Sean Monahan on the top line.

“(Marchenko) has competed his (butt) off,” said Columbus coach Dean Evason. “We were talking (about) how hard he’s competed, and that’s what we’ve asked him to do — win your battles, win your puck races, win your one-on-one confrontations, and he’s done that.”

The game also marked the NHL debut of Blue Jackets defenseman Denton Mateychuk, one of the team’s top prospects. Even though he didn’t score, the 2022 first-round pick played 18:36 of ice time and was featured on the second power-play unit.

“It’s awesome to be trusted with (a special-teams role), but now you’ve got to perform and be able to take that situation and make the most of it,” Mateychuk said. “I was trying to go out there and do my thing.”

Columbus has a strong record of 11-5-4 when scoring first this season.

In the previous meeting between the teams, three first-period goals, including one from former Bruin James van Riemsdyk, helped the Blue Jackets win 5-1 in Boston on Nov. 18.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Boston Bruins Win Over Capitals Ended With David Pastrnak Sustaining Injury

Boston Bruins Win Over Capitals (NHL)

The Boston Bruins secured a 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals but finished the game without their leading scorer, David Pastrnak.

Pastrnak exited the game at 8:38 of the second period due to an upper-body injury after playing 9:00 over 12 shifts. He did not return for the third period.

When asked about Pastrnak’s condition following the game, interim head coach Joe Sacco could not provide a definitive update.

“He left the game with an upper-body injury,” Sacco said. “I’ll get more details on it either later tonight or tomorrow.”

Bruins’ David Pastrnak (Photo: AP)

It remains unclear what injury Pastrnak is dealing with, though his absence might have been precautionary, as the Bruins have a break until Friday, when they travel to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets in the first game of a home-and-home series.

Pastrnak currently leads the Bruins with 35 points (12 goals and 23 assists) in 35 games this season.

He trails only Brad Marchand in goals, with Marchand leading the team with 15 goals.

The Bruins will have three days off for the holiday break before heading to Columbus for their game against the Blue Jackets on Friday.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Ekholm’s Overtime Goal Lifts Oilers to 3-2 Win Over Bruins in Thrilling Comeback

Oilers vs Bruins
Oilers vs Bruins

The Edmonton Oilers staged a thrilling comeback to defeat the Boston Bruins 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night, thanks to Mattias Ekholm’s decisive goal just 1:04 into OT. Ekholm, trailing on the rush, received a pass from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who capitalized on a rebound off Boston goalie Jeremy Swayman’s pads. This victory marked the Oilers’ sixth win in seven games, fueled by Zach Hyman’s goal and assist and Connor McDavid’s late third-period equalizer. Leon Draisaitl also contributed three assists, extending his and McDavid’s point streaks to seven games.

The Bruins initially controlled the game, jumping to a 2-0 lead in the first period. Elias Lindholm scored just over a minute into the game, and Mark Kastelic doubled the advantage before intermission. However, the Oilers chipped away at the deficit with Hyman’s second-period goal, ultimately setting the stage for the dramatic finish. Boston concluded their Western Conference road trip with a 2-2-1 record, despite Swayman’s 23 saves.

Elsewhere in the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche mounted a third-period rally to defeat the San Jose Sharks 4-2. Joel Kiviranta scored twice in the final frame, with Valeri Nichushkin and Mikko Rantanen adding goals to secure the comeback. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar provided two assists each, while goalie Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 32 shots. San Jose’s Carl Grundstrom and William Eklund scored in the second period, but the Sharks ultimately fell short, continuing their struggles with six losses in their past seven games.

Oilers vs Bruins
Oilers vs Bruins

In a high-scoring overtime matchup, the Pittsburgh Penguins edged the Nashville Predators 5-4. Bryan Rust capped a four-point night with his second goal in OT, giving Pittsburgh their eighth win in 11 games. Sidney Crosby also shone with a goal and three assists, while Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson chipped in with a goal and an assist each. Despite strong performances from Nashville’s Brady Skjei and Filip Forsberg, the Predators remain inconsistent following an earlier slump.

The Tampa Bay Lightning extended their winning streak to four games by defeating the St. Louis Blues 3-1. Nikita Kucherov continued his hot streak with two assists, tallying 20 points over his nine-game run. Gage Goncalves scored his first NHL goal, with Anthony Cirelli and Nick Perbix adding insurance. St. Louis’ Pavel Buchnevich recorded his tenth point in 11 games, but the Blues struggled as starting goalie Jordan Binnington was replaced after allowing three goals on 11 shots.

Finally, the Ottawa Senators achieved their fifth consecutive win with a 3-2 OT victory over the Calgary Flames. Brady Tkachuk netted the winner just 55 seconds into overtime, converting on a rebound after a dynamic end-to-end sequence. Linus Ullmark played a key role with 29 saves and his first assist of the season. Calgary’s Blake Coleman and Jonathan Huberdeau managed to keep the Flames competitive, but their recent slump continued as they fell to 1-2-2 in their last four games.

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The Bruins have a chance to secure a successful road trip with a victory against the Oilers

Boston Bruins (NHL)

After a come-from-behind win, the Boston Bruins have a chance to finish their Western Conference road trip with a winning record when they face the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.

The Bruins have split their first four games of the trip, losing the first two before winning the last two, including a 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. In that game, they scored twice in the third period and once in overtime to come back from a two-goal deficit.

“It wasn’t the start that we had anticipated coming off (a strong showing in Saturday’s) Vancouver game,” said Boston interim head coach Joe Sacco. “We got down two, but the guys regrouped, found our game and stuck with it for the next 40 minutes or so.”

David Pastrnak, the team’s leading scorer, scored the game-winning goal in overtime. Meanwhile, Morgan Geekie and Marc McLaughlin helped tie the game in the third period, with both players scoring in back-to-back games.

McLaughlin, a 25-year-old from Massachusetts who has only played 22 NHL games, scored his first two goals of the season. His second goal came after a strong effort, which is exactly what Sacco wants from his team.

“This is a second-effort league, and that was a good second effort by Marc,” Sacco said of McLaughlin’s rebound goal on Tuesday.

The Bruins know who to rely on in late-game and overtime situations. With four of their last five wins being decided by one or two goals, they trust their star players.

“Just give the puck to 88 (Pastrnak) or 63 (Brad Marchand) and then pray,” said Boston forward Nikita Zadorov. “They are our best players, so put it in their hands, they’re going to make it happen.”

Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues

The Bruins will need their stars to step up against the Oilers, who are also filled with top players like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman. The Oilers had won five straight and eight of their last nine games before losing 6-5 to the Florida Panthers on Monday.

After a tough loss in their first game since last spring’s Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton begins a stretch of three games in four days. Both McDavid and Hyman recently survived injury scares.

Hyman, who suffered a broken nose from a shot to the face on Monday, is expected to play. McDavid also collided with teammate Darnell Nurse during practice on Tuesday but is not expected to miss any time.

“You don’t want to see any of that, and sometimes it happens,” said Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch. “And you have to be careful on the drills that you do so you don’t set up a situation where players get hurt. But also, if you never have any contact, you don’t have game-like practices and situations.”

Viktor Arvidsson, who has missed 15 games due to an undisclosed injury, could also return for the Oilers on Thursday after impressing in recent practices.

“I think he might have been the best player on the ice for us. I thought I was that impressed with him,” Knoblauch said. “But that’s one thing about practice and games, so I think it’s ease him in there.”

The Oilers will be looking to bounce back from their first loss since Dec. 3 and their first time allowing more than three goals since Nov. 21.

“I think the sense of urgency goes up,” said McDavid. “We talked about not letting losses turn into two, three, or four games. You gotta respond. We always have and I would expect the same on Thursday.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Pastrnak’s Overtime Goal Seals Bruins’ Comeback Win Over Flames After Overcoming Two-Goal Deficit

Pastrnak’s Overtime Goal Seals Bruins’ Comeback Win Over Flames After Overcoming Two-Goal Deficit
Pastrnak’s Overtime Goal Seals Bruins’ Comeback Win Over Flames After Overcoming Two-Goal Deficit

The Boston Bruins faced adversity early in the second period of their game against the Calgary Flames but turned it into one of their most uplifting victories of the season. David Pastrnak scored a decisive overtime goal at 4:20, completing a stunning comeback as the Bruins overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period to win 4-3 on Tuesday. This thrilling finish marked a significant moment for the Bruins, who are looking to maintain their momentum with a third consecutive win on Thursday against Edmonton.

The Bruins struggled significantly in the opening period, being outshot and outskated by Calgary, yet managed to keep the score level at 0-0 heading into intermission. However, the Flames seized control early in the second period, scoring twice in the first 1:21. Bruins assistant coach Joe Sacco called a timely timeout to refocus the team, which seemed to energize the Bruins and spark a change in their play.

Pastrnak’s Overtime Goal Seals Bruins’ Comeback Win Over Flames After Overcoming Two-Goal Deficit
Pastrnak’s Overtime Goal Seals Bruins’ Comeback Win Over Flames After Overcoming Two-Goal Deficit

Elias Lindholm, returning to Calgary where he was honored with a tribute video, ended his 12-game scoring drought with a goal midway through the second period to bring Boston within one. He had a chance to add another late in the period but was denied by Calgary goaltender Dustin Wolf. Moments later, the Flames capitalized on a defensive lapse by the Bruins, with Ryan Lomborg restoring Calgary’s two-goal advantage at 3-1.

Undeterred, the Bruins mounted a determined comeback in the third period. Morgan Geekie ignited the rally by scoring his second goal in as many games just over four minutes into the frame. Shortly afterward, Brad Marchand set up Marc McLaughlin for the game-tying goal, which McLaughlin buried on a second-chance rebound to level the score at 3-3. The Bruins’ persistence in the face of adversity was on full display as they kept Calgary from pulling away again.

Goaltender Jeremy Swayman played a crucial role in the win, making 20 saves, while Pastrnak delivered the decisive moment in overtime. His blistering shot past Dustin Wolf capped the comeback and secured the 4-3 victory. The Bruins will now aim to build on this emotional win as they close out their road trip in Edmonton, carrying the momentum of their resilience and teamwork.