The Boston Bruins have won nine of the last 11 games after a 3-2 overtime victory against the Detroit Red Wings Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Brad Marchand scored the game-winner in OT for his 12th of the season. Tuukka Rask won his fifth start in a row and finished with 29 saves.
Defenseman Kevan Miller did not play tonight after he and his wife, Haley, welcomed the couple's first child on Tuesday. Fellow blueliner Paul Postma will replace Miller in the lineup against the Red Wings. Miller is expected to return to the lineup against the Washington Capitals on Thursday at TD Garden.
Forward Ryan Spooner remains sidelined with a lower-body injury. He did travel with the team but will not be in the lineup tonight.
Observations from the third period
- Bruins tie it with an extra attacker as David Pastrnak scores his 15th of the season. With David Backes serving as the net-front presence, allows Pastrnak to camp out on the offpost and it pays dividends.
- Shorty by Dylan Larkin to give the Red Wings a 2-1 lead. Boston's first PP unit tired after dominating the offensive zone. Pastrnak caught in no man's land that allowed Larkin to spring free on a breakaway.
- Noel Acciari ties the game at 1-1. Great example of what happens when you have bodies in front of the net.
- This is the type of game where Rask is getting zero help.
- That quality chance by David Krejci was created by a strong defensive stick in the passing lane by Brandon Carlo in front of Boston's net.
- Can't stand the delayed entry on the power play. Wasted effort.
- Would like to see Jake DeBrusk crash with reckless abandon on the next shift or two to feel his game again. Linemate Anders Bjork needs to shoot the puck.
- Rask had no chance on Detroit's power-play goal.
- I wouldn't be surprised if Bruce Cassidy decides to put David Pastrnak with Krejci for a shift or two in an attempt to get him going.
- David Krejci wasn't trying to make a centering pass from the corner on that power play. He was trying to redirect it in off a Detroit defender.
- The two shots by the Bruins in the opening period was the least they've registered in a period this season.
- Bjork needs to shoot the puck more.
- Rask doesn't like to handle the puck outside the crease, but he's been asked to do more of it this season and it's evident he's a lot more comfortable. His puck-handling ability has improved.
- More often than not, Charlie McAvoy has saved Zdeno Chara this season. The rookie's awareness is off the charts.
- Matt Grzelcyk's vision and playmaking ability is spot on. It's only going to get better. And, he's only going to get stronger.
- Luke Witkowski is a player I'd take on my team.
- Entering tonight, the Bruins have scored on the power play in three straight games. They get the first PP of the game.
- David Pastrnak is playing his 200th NHL game tonight.