The same tried-and-true narrative for this series carried over into Tuesday's Game 3 matchup at Nationwide Arena.
A fantastic outing from Sergei Bobrovsky in net. Special teams tilted in favor of Columbus. And a lack of production once again from Boston's big guns. All in all, not too many surprises in what was a 2-1 win for the Blue Jackets — who now have a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven series. Even with a late goal in the second from Jake DeBrusk, Boston struggled to get much of anything past Bobrovsky, who stopped 35 shots and also benefited from three attempts clanging off the post.
While Boston outshot the Blue Jackets, 14-7, during the final 20 minutes of play, the B's once again learned the hard way that falling into a hole against a locked-in goal like Bobrovsky is potentially fatal development — especially when your power play has only cashed in once on nine attempts this series.
The Bruins will be back at it on Thursday night at Nationwide Arena.
The Boston Bruins will continue the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs when they travel to Ohio for Game 3 of their best-of-seven series with the Blue Jackets. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. Follow along for updates from Tuesday’s game.
WHO: Bruins at Columbus Blue Jackets (Series tied, 1-1)
WHEN: 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Nationwide Arena
TV: NBC
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub
LIVE BOX SCORE: NHL.com
LIVE COVERAGE:
9:58: 2-1 win for Columbus. Bruins now trail in the series, 2-1.
9:42: Empty net for Boston.
9:41: Bobrovsky continues to be a wall in net.
9:33: Back to 5v5 play with 6:24 left in the third.
9:30: Huge power play coming up for the Bruins — ANNNNNND it's gone. Bergeron wipes it out with a penalty off his own after Anderson takes off.
9:16: Acciari rings one off the post.
9:12: David Pastrnak lands his first shot on goal at 2:53 in the third period.
9:07: Pastrnak back with Bergeron and Marchand.
9:05: Third period is underway.
8:48: End Second: Bruins still trail, 2-1. But that DeBrusk goal is huge after Boston was dead in the water for most of the period.
8:44: Jake DeBrusk scores after an extended review. 2-1 game with 39.9 seconds left.
8:38: Another great stop by Bobrovsky.
8:31: Bruins now trail, 2-0. Duchene on the power play. Horrid, horrid clearing by Bruins PK.
8:30: Matt Duchene buries it on the power play. 2-0 Blue Jackets.
8:27: Looks like Pastrnak is in some pain after his ankle buckles out from underneath him. Meanwhile, Marchand heads off for a high stick.
8:20: Good job by McAvoy and Chara to negate a rush for Columbus after Kuraly coughs up the puck.
8:12: More overpassing from the Bergeron line.
8:08: Bruins make the kill.
8:07: Second period underway. Blue Jackets with 1:04 left on the power play.
8:06: DeBrusk with just 2:55 of 5v5 TOI in the first.
7:49: End First: Blue Jackets lead the Bruins, 1-0. SOG in favor of Boston, 12-10. A good period for Boston negated by that goal from Jenner. Bruins PP continues to slump.
7:47: Now Jackets to the power play. Krug trips up Panarin.
7:46: Boone Jenner makes it 1-0.
7:36: Another poor power play for Boston. Great pressure from CBJ.
7:33: Bruins power play coming up. Slash for Foligno.
7:29: Pastrnak taking shifts with Bergeron and Marchand.
7:19: McAvoy rings one off the post. Nice start for Boston.
7:11: Game 1 is underway.
6:58: Bruins starters: Bergeron Line + Chara/McAvoy. Kuhlman in at the second line, Pasta down on the third line. Here we go.
PROJECTED LINES
BOSTON
Brad Marchand -- Patrice Bergeron -- Danton Heinen
Jake DeBrusk -- David Krejci -- Karson Kuhlman
Marcus Johansson -- Charlie Coyle -- David Pastrnak
Joakim Nordstrom -- Sean Kuraly -- Noel Acciari
Zdeno Chara -- Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug -- Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk -- Connor Clifton
Tuukka Rask
Jaroslav Halak
Scratched: David Backes, Steven Kampfer, Chris Wagner, John Moore
Injured: Kevan Miller (lower body)
COLUMBUS
Artemi Panarin -- Pierre-Luc Dubois - Cam Atkinson
Nick Foligno -- Matt Duchene -- Josh Anderson
Ryan Dzingel -- Alexander Wennberg -- Oliver Bjorkstrand
Brandon Dubinsky -- Boone Jenner -- Riley Nash
Zach Werenski -- Seth Jones
Dean Kukan -- David Savard
Scott Harrington -- Adam Clendening
Sergei Bobrovsky
Joonas Korpisalo
PREGAME NOTES:
- A couple of lineup changes are on tap for the Bruins, as Chris Wagner will sit in place of Karson Kuhlman — who will likely slot in at the second line with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk. The most drastic alteration will be on the third line, as David Pastrnak will likely skate on the third line with Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson. It’s a drastic switch for Bruce Cassidy — but one that is necessary given No. 88’s struggles this postseason.
- One area where Pastrnak could break out is on the power play — as he will remain up with the rest of Boston’s top unit with Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Torey Krug and Marcus Johansson. So far in this series, Boston’s top crew on the man advantage has only generated three shots on goal and zero tallies — with Boston only cashing in on one of its eight power-play chances against the Blue Jackets so far.
- If Boston’s PK can improve, it will go a long way in terms of containing a Blue Jackets team that, while explosive, has been largely underwhelming at 5v5 play so far this series. In Saturday’s Game 2 victory, a pair of the Jackets’ goals came on the power play, while Artemi Panarin tallied another during a stretch of 4v4 play.
- While John Moore is officially back practicing, it looks as though he’ll be tabbed as an extra defensemen for now, with Connor Clifton taking over duties on Boston’s third D pairing with Matt Grzelcyk. Kevan Miller, who is still not skating, is the lone Bruin still dealing with injury.