OTTAWA -- It wasn’t pretty, but once again the Boston Bruins found a way to win to extend their point streak to 18 games with a marginal 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators Thursday night at Canadian Tire Centre.
Coach Bruce Cassidy was forced to tweak his lines early in the second period, trying to find a spark. Jake DeBrusk was on the receiving end of a lucky bounce that proved to be the game-winning goal at 8:41 of the third period. He threw the puck on net from a bad angle and Ottawa goalie Mike Condon couldn’t handle it as it trickled past him.
No doubt the Bruins are a different team without Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy. Still, they’ve found a way to win.
Noel Acciari was out with a lower-body injury and Frank Vatrano returned to the lineup. Anders Bjork replaced Marchand on Patrice Bergeron's line for the first period, but was moved early in the second period in favor of Danton Heinen, who scored a power-play goal.
Here are the pregame notes.
Observations from the third period
- DeBrusk throws the puck on net from a bad angle and Mike Condon can't control it and it goes in to give the Bruins a 3-2 lead.
- Just like that the Senators respond and give the Senators a power-play goal to tie the game at 2-2.
- Tim Schaller with a shorthanded goal. Patrice Bergeron outworked Erik Karlsson to chip the puck to Schaller, who broke in on a breakaway for the goal to give Boston a 2-1 lead. It's the Bruins' fourth shorty this season.
- Vatrano going to the box for tripping.
- It's funny how Zdeno Chara continually gets the veteran's non-icing call all the time when he dumps the puck in from beyond the red line.
- Sean Kuraly's forecheck is on point tonight.
- Two Grade-A chances for David Pastrnak on that last shift but he couldn't capitalize with 5:56 remaining in the period.
- Three solid scoring chances for DeBrusk on that last shift. It's been five games since he's scored.
- Boston quickly capitalizes on the power play on a goal by Danton Heinen to tie it at 1-1. Who needs Marchand? It's Heinen's first goal in nine games.
- With Erik Karlsson in the box, Bruins have an opportunity to get back in this one on the power play.
- Heinen now on Bergeron's line. Bjork with David Backes and Riley Nash.
- Bruins only two shots midway through this period.
- Bjork starts the period on Bergeron's line, but wouldn't surprise me if Cassidy tweaks the lines in the second.
- Bruins finish the first period down a goal but registered 20 shots.
- Bjork going to the box for a high stick. Bruins kill it off -- barely.
- Bjork is staying too high in the offensive zone.
- Bjork was thinking defense first on that rush by David Pastrnak. Bjork was a step off getting to the net for the rebound.
- After Bruins kill off penalty, got caught on a bad change and Senators took advantage with a quick transition through the neutral zone and finish with a goal as the puck ricochets off Adam McQuaid's skate. It's the seventh consecutive game the Bruins have allowed the first goal.
- Tim Schaller working with Bergeron on the PK.
- The Senators getting the first power play of the game with Vatrano going off for slashing. Can't stand that call.
- Mike Condon is fighting the puck tonight.
- With Marchand out, one aspect that will hurt Bergeron's line is he's the only one of the three that can win a draw.
- Great energy from Vatrano on the forecheck. Steals the puck and nearly puts home the wrap-around attempt. Two things he needs to do in this game: shoot and hit.
- Good first shift by Bjork.