BSJ Game Report: Oilers 3, Bruins 2 - Bruins can't capitalize early, fall late in OT

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

B’s can’t capitalize on strong start: For the second game in a row, the Bruins caught their opponent on their heels in the opening minutes of play, with Boston holding a 10-3 edge in scoring chances and posting a dominant 69.57 Corsi For Percentage through the first 20 minutes of play.

And yet, Boston was unable to strike early against Edmonton, allowing the Oilers to slowly tilt the ice back in their favor as time ticked away in the contest. Whether it failing to make Edmonton pay early or a lack of punch on the power play (0-for-3), Boston needs to pounce when given the opportunity.

Injury bug hits: Aside from an ankle injury to Torey Krug in the preseason finale, the Black and Gold were able to avoid the injury bug during the first couple of weeks of the regular season — a change of pace from the start of the 2017-18 season, in which Patrice Bergeron, David Backes, Noel Acciari, Ryan Spooner, David Krejci and Tuukka Rask all missed multiple games.

Unfortunately, a number of B’s skaters were dinged up in Thursday’s tilt in Edmonton, with Backes missing most of the first period after taking a high hit from Matt Benning. While Backes eventually returned, Kevan Miller missed the entire third period due to an upper-body injury.

Backes’ return was good news for Boston — although still a troubling development given the veteran’s history of concussions — but Miller’s absence does leave a big hole on the blue line, especially as a right-shot D.

In a perfect world, someone like Urho Vaakanainen would be the next man up from Providence if Miller is sidelined, but it seems unlikely Boston would bring up a left-shot to fill the spot. Looks like Steven Kampfer will get the call if needed.

THREE UP:

B’s Second Line: A trio on the cusp of breaking out finally managed to light the lamp on Thursday, with David Krejci tallying his first goal of the season off of a great seam pass from Matt Grzelcyk at 11:17 in the first.

Danton Heinen, making his first appearance since getting scratched in the past two games, was much more energetic on Krejci’s line, notching a secondary assist on Krejci’s tally while resembling the 200-foot player that set himself apart last year. Given Bruce Cassidy’s statements leading up the matchup, it seems like Heinen was the early favorite for the vacant second-line wing spot out of gate this year.

It’ll serve the Bruins well if the 23-year-old winger can help stabilize a line that has strung together a number of strong games. Jake DeBrusk rounded out a strong group with a 60.87 CF% and a pair of takeaways.

______________

Patrice Bergeron line: Might as well reserve a spot for this trio here, eh? Boston’s top forwards once again converted Thursday night, with David Pastrnak taking a feed from Brad Marchand and notching his eighth goal of the season at 11:26 in the third. Make that 36 points in six games for this group.

Not to be outdone by their offensive production, Bergeron also managed to keep Connor McDavid in check during 5-on-5 play, holding a 7-4 edge in scoring chances during 12:31 of TOI when he was out on the ice at the same time as the Oilers captain.

________

Joakim Nordstrom: His stats might not jump out, but Nordstrom was once again strong on the puck while skating on the fourth line with Sean Kuraly and Noel Acciari. Even with some extended looks against the McDavid line, Nordstrom managed to lead all B’s skaters with an impressive 66.67 CF%. Not a bad week at all for the 26-year-old winger.

THREE DOWN:

Charlie McAvoy: Not the finest showing from the young Bruins defenseman in this one. McAvoy took a rough angle on the play that led to the Oilers’ first goal of the evening, allowing Kailer Yamamoto to slip past him and go in alone against Halak for the first tally of his NHL career. McAvoy also took a holding penalty at 6:31 in the third period that led to a goal from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the third.

__________

Brad Marchand: The Bruins winger might have set up Pastrnak’s game-tying tally midway through the third, but he also has to be knocked for the giveaway that led to Edmonton’s game-winner in OT.

While trying to push the puck up the ice and hit Bergeron in stride, Marchand’s pass was intercepted by McDavid, who carried it through the neutral zone and quickly turned it into a 2-on-1 chance with Leon Draisaitl. Yep, you can guess what happened next.

___________

Ryan Donato: Not a good day for Donato, who posted a dreadful 15.38 Corsi For Percentage in 7:33 of 5-on-5 play. During that stretch, the forward was out on the ice for three high-danger scoring chances for the Oilers, and zero for the Black and Gold. Look for Anders Bjork to continue the lineup roulette on the third line this weekend.

NOTEWORTHY: Zdeno Chara: Boston’s captain hit a significant milestone in Thursday’s game, becoming just the sixth Bruins player in franchise history to log 900 games with the Black and Gold — joining  Ray Bourque (1,518), John Bucyk (1,436), Don Sweeney (1,052), Wayne Cashman (1,027) and Patrice Bergeron (969) for the honor.

UP NEXT: The Bruins will continue their four-game trip to Canada when they take on the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, with puck drop slated for 10:00 p.m.