Charlie McAvoy's goal in the 11th round of the shootout helped the Bruins to a 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils Wednesday night at Prudential Center. It went that long because, once again, Anton Khudobin was spectacular in net en route to his third consecutive victory with a 40-save performance.
"He's played well and deserves to start games," Cassidy told reporters after the team's optional morning skate. "Guys are playing well in front of him and he looks confident and composed and he's playing good hockey for us."
Cassidy said he's talked with Tuukka Rask, who's not happy with the situation, but he also understands the circumstances. It's a good sign that Rask isn't happy and maybe this is stretch on the bench is what he needs to get his game moving in a positive direction.
Forward Ryan Spooner, who has missed 14 games with a groin injury, returned to the lineup tonight. Cassidy said Spooner will start on the left side because the coach is content with the way the other four centers have played of late. Spooner will be relied on for his power-play duties. As a result of Spooner being activated, the Bruins assigned Jordan Szwarz to Providence. He had three assists in nine games for the Bruins.
Observations from the overtime
- Khudobin with a big save but it was Jake DeBrusk's backcheck that stifled that attempt.
- Huge puck possession for the Bruins to open OT.
- That was not a good third period for the Bruins. Khudobin was critical as this heads to OT.
- Rob O'Gara had plenty of time to control that puck on the PK, but instead wraps the puck around and the Devils easily keep it in and resulted in the game-tying goal.
- Khudobin more square to the puck, which is good because he's getting plenty of work this period.
- O'Gara with a solid defensive play on Taylor Hall. That's the type of play O'Gara needs to produce more of at this level.
- Can the Bruins hold another one-goal lead in the third period?
- Danton Heinen has a great ability to win puck battles in close.
- David Pastrnak's not far off from getting one.
- I like Matt Grzelcyk's game, but he needs to adjust to the speed at this level.
- Again, Khudobin is so much fun to watch. No idea where the puck is but still makes the stop.
- David Krejci's ability to win faceoffs in the offensive zone is so important for the team's success.
- Khudobin is making some big saves, but he's not as calm in the net as he was the last two starts.
- Bruins need the next goal.
- Follow it around and see what it eats, Anton. Khudobin had no idea where the puck was and the Devils score a power-play goal to cut their deficit to one goal.
- Zdeno Chara has had issues managing the puck and Khudobin just saved his captain with a timely save.
- It's entertaining to watch Charlie McAvoy quick-up the puck through the neutral zone.
- That's the type of play David Pastrnak needs to get going. He entered the game with a four-game pointless skid, but he just made a strong play that led to Patrice Bergeron's goal to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead.
- Gotta give Spooner credit for backchecking and breaking up a possible scoring chance for the Devils.
- With Torey Krug sidelined with an upper-body injury, the Bruins recalled Grzelcyk from Providence for tonight's game. The rookie has similar traits to Krug's and proved it on that goal by Jake DeBrusk to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. DeBrusk continues to dominate since he was a healthy scratch on Nov. 11.
- If DeBrusk continues to play like this then he'll have to be mentioned in the Calder Trophy race.