Only 28 seconds into overtime, Brad Marchand scores the game-winner to lead the Bruins to a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday at Xcel Energy Center. It's his fifth overtime goal, which is the most in the NHL this season.
Pregame notes
After missing the last 13 games, Patrice Bergeron returns to the lineup when the Bruins face the Minnesota Wild at 7:30 tonight at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said expecting both Bergeron and Torey Krug to play against the Wild.
Bergeron suffered a broken right foot on Feb. 24 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played the next day against the Buffalo Sabres, but has been sidelined since. Amazingly, the Bruins are 9-2-2 in Bergeron's absence. The top-line center will be reunited with Marchand and David Pastrnak.
Marchand stepped up his game during Bergeron's hiatus. No. 63 registered eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points. Pastrnak has seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points. Riley Nash served as the top-line center and was more than serviceable with five goals and eight assists for 13 points.
Krug has missed the last two games and will be paired with Adam McQuaid.
Masked men: Tuukka Rask will start against the Wild. He's 31-11-5 with a 2.34 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage in 48 games this season. He's 3-3-1 in seven career starts against Minnesota.
Observations from first period.
- Xcel Energy Center is one of my favorite buildings in the NHL.
- Boston's grind line has been solid all season and the trio of Tim Schaller, Sean Kuraly and Noel Acciari is heating up.
- Brandon Carlo has been solid the last few games. A good time to find his game.
- Bruins normally stay onside but a couple of offside calls already in this game.
- An unusual amount of O-zone time for the Wild against the Bergeron line.
- When Bergeron is camped out in that bumper position, the defensemen behind him are perfectly positioned in case No. 37 isn't open when Boston has possession.
- A tough high-sticking call against Krug. Wild get first power play of the game.
- Because Bergeron hasn't played in a month his minutes will be managed in this game. Since Boston's PK has been solid of late, that's one area Bruce Cassidy can manage those minutes.
- Big kill by the Bruins. Rask with two huge saves.
- Rask has been the difference so far. It would be huge if he can reach elite status heading into the playoffs.
- David Krejci has played with so many different wingers this season is just another example of his versatility.
- Great minds, Brian Boucher. It must be a Rhode Island thing.
- Carlo gets so many penalties because of his relentless battle.
- So much for that: Bergeron out to kill the PK. Not out there for long, however.
- Earlier this season, Rask had issues with his edges and going post-to-post. It's an area he's cleaned up big time.
- Great shot by Ryan Donato with 35 seconds remaining in the opening period. Wild goalie Alex Stalock makes the save, but leaves the rebound in front and a scramble ensues.
- Bergeron went 8-for-9 on the drop in the opening period.
- On his first shift, Bergeron goes down awkwardly in the corner.
- Appears Acciari scores but it's called goalie interference. Definitely contact by Riley Nash, but Stalock sells it big time. No goal. Evident too since Nash never celebrated.
- Pastrnak with a one-timer to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. It's his 30th goal of the season and he's reached that plateau for the second consecutive season. Bergeron with the assist.
- Great pressure by the Wild. All for naught. Whistle blew.
- Rask struggling with playing the puck behind the net tonight.
- Boston getting its first power play of the game.
- Bruins 0-for-1 on the PP.
- Now they get another power play only seconds after the first one expired.
- Boston 0-for-2.
- Another timely save by Rask to keep this a one-g0al game for Boston with 2:22 remaining in the period.
- Bruins take their 1-0 lead into the room.
- Bergeron is 12-for-17 on the drop to start the third.
- Once Matt Grzelcyk develops into a stronger player, and hones his shot, he's going to be a dangerous player.
- Nino Niederreiter hits the post. Rask never saw the puck.
- Another game where Marchand uses his body to pitch a tent over the puck.
- Kuraly appears to be skating a bit gingerly.
- Another big stop by Rask. Just over eight minutes into the period and he has 23 saves.
- Wild tie it at 1-1 with 10:40 remaining in regulation. Mikko Koivu with the goal.
- Matt Cullen with shot off the post from pointblank range. Bruins catch a break.
- Tough entries for the Bruins in this period.
- Huge block by Schaller in the closing seconds.
- Going to overtime.