The Boston Bruins defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 Friday afternoon at TD Garden. The Bruins extend their winning streak to four games.
Anton Khudobin made his fourth consecutive start and finished with 17 saves en route to victory. He wasn't tested too often but made a few timely saves, including his 17th of the game with 7.5 seconds remaining.
Yes, Bruce Cassidy is riding the hot hand, but the coach admitted it wouldn't have been the right decision to start Tuukka Rask after watching from the bench for more than a week and without a practice yesterday. So, it sounds like no matter the result today, Rask could start against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.
Torey Krug (upper body) returned to the lineup today. Cassidy went with seven D-men against the Penguins. Rookie Matt Grzelcyk, who played well against the Devils on Wednesday, is playing today. Since the Bruins have seven defensemen, forward Frank Vatrano is the odd-man out today.
Brad Marchand, who has missed six of the last eight games with a concussion, did not return to the lineup today. He's expected to participate in a full practice on Saturday and could play on Sunday.
Anders Bjork is listed as week-to-week.
Observations from the third period
- Another big win for the Bruins.
- Tough icing call for Zdeno Chara.
- Peter Cehlarik has not returned since going to the room a few minutes ago.
- When Noel Acciari hits somebody, it makes a distinct sound against the boards.
- David Pastrnak needed that goal more than you know. It's his first goal in last six games.
- Patrice Bergeron appears to be in some discomfort on the bench. He's back for his next shift.
- Cassidy wanted goalie interference but the goal stands.
- The Penguins tie it at 3-3 on Sidney Crosby's goal. It was a long review but the call is the right one.
- That is a sick goal by Phil Kessel.
- 7: Is the number of Bruins who have scored their first NHL regular-season goal this season. Grzelcyk, Jake DeBrusk, Charlie McAvoy, Anders Bjork, Danton Heinen, Sean Kuraly and Cehlarik.
- Grzelcyk just scored his first NHL goal to give the Bruins a 3-1 lead. Great story for the local kid. Received a huge ovation from the hometown fans.
- Heinen is so strong on the puck, especially in close.
- Penguins get on the board with a power-play goal.
- Bruins are playing with energy again today. Solid first period.
- Jake DeBrusk nearly gets a PP goal but great save by Matt Murray. DeBrusk needs a new sweater number. He's not a 74.
- The Bruins could use a goal to get the power play going.
- Bruins are buzzing.
- Sean Kuraly gives the Bruins a 2-0 lead. Good play by Charlie McAvoy to keep the puck in that set up Kuraly's one-timer. Penguins take a timeout after the goal.
- DeBrusk with a nifty pass to David Krejci for the easy backdoor goal to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. Can't say it enough that DeBrusk has been a completely different player -- in a good way -- since being a healthy scratch on Nov. 11.