BSJ Game Report: Bruins 4, Canadiens 3 (SO)

MONTREAL -- Everything else you need to know from the Bruins’ win in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis. 

HEADLINES: The Bruins' 4-3 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens was the result of the team successfully rebounding -- twice on the scoreboard and another time emotionally.

Following a frantic overtime period that saw both teams exchange multiple scoring chances, the Bruins nabbed the two points when Brad Marchand beat Carey Price in the fourth round of the shootout.

"Close your eyes and hope it goes in,'' joked Marchand on his strategy against the former Vezina winner.

The B's trailed 1-0 in the first and 3-2 in the second, but both times, came back to tie the game.

But the biggest test was overcoming a truly scary moment in the middle period when a slapshot from the stick of Zdeno Chara struck Canadiens winger Phillip Danault on the side of the head. Danault immediately dropped to the ice and remained motionless for several minutes before being taken off the ice on a stretcher.

The on-ice officials made the decision to carry over the final 1:37 past the second intermission to give the two teams a chance to regroup in the dressing rooms. The normally raucous Bell Centre became eerily quiet with concern for Danault and a pall hung over the game.

"That's unfortunate,'' said coach Bruce Cassidy of the injury to Danault. "I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often, with the ability of guys to shoot one-timers and guys getting in shooting lanes, deflecting off sticks. Hopefully (Danault) is alright. That's a tough one. Hopefully, it's not too serious.''

The Canadiens announced that Danault had suffered a head injury and was taken to a local hospital, where he underwent treatment. He was reported to be conscious and able to move.

"I was just hoping that he wasn't hurt,'' recalled Chara, whose slapper is one of the hardest in the NHL. "That's the first thing going through my mind -- hopefully he's not hurt. It happens, but it's very unfortunate. You don't ever want to see anyone get hit in the head area and being carried off the ice.

Chara, who remained on the ice until Danault was carted off, said the B's had to re-focus on the game, which they did successfully.

TURNING POINT: When the Bruins fell behind a second time, David Krejci was able to bail them out. He intercepted a misfired clearing attempt in the slot and quickly sent a wrister past Carey Price.

That came at 17:42 of the second period and was the last goal in regulation for either team.

"We were down two or three times,'' said Chara. "Obviously, it was a tight game, very close game. You could tell that both teams were showing  a lot of energy and were well-rested, so it was nice to get two points.''

TWO UP

Tuukka Rask: Rask allowed a bit of a softie on the Habs' second goal, but shut down the Canadiens for the final 31 minutes of regulation and then stopped three out of four shootout attempts to open the door for the Bruins to walk out of the Bell Centre with the victory.  Rask has now helped the Bruins capture at least one point in his last 14 games.

Brad Marchand: In addition to potting the game-winner in the shootout, Marchand converted a terrific pass from Patrice Bergeron for a power play strike at 17:40 of the first for the first B's goal of the night.

TWO DOWN:

Charlie McAvoy: McAvoy set up Jake DeBrusk with a nifty, cross-ice pass for the B's second goal of the night, but took an ill-advised penalty in the final minutes of regulation. McAvoy had bounced Charles Hudon into the boards, and as play turned up ice, the two jawed with McAvoy using his stick to trip up Hudon. The play was directly in front of a referee and put the B's in jeopardy. They successfully killed off the penalty, but in that situation, McAvoy needs to show more discipline.

Kevan Miller:....And speaking of bad penalties. Miller was whistled for a dangerous boarding call in the second period, putting the Canadiens on the power play. Fortunately for Miller, his teammates were able to kill off that man advantage, too.

UP NEXT: The Bruins will practice Sunday, then host Dallas and old friend Tyler Seguin in a holiday matinee at TD Garden Monday.