BSJ Game Report: Bruins 6, Penguins 4 - B’s overcome brutal second period, rally back

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 6-4 win over the Penguins in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

TOP TAKEAWAYS

A brutal middle stanza unravels a strong start: At one point, it looked as though the Bruins were in line to post another statement win against a strong Penguins club — with David Pastrnak’s tally at 4:22 in the second period chasing Matt Murray from the game and giving Boston a commanding 3-0 lead on Monday night. 

After that, things went ... south, to say the least. 

While Pittsburgh benefited immensely from removing Murray — who also let up a soft goal to Jake DeBrusk in the first — it’s not like Tristan Jarry had to work that much for the remainder of the second, as the Pens put on a clinic in Boston’s zone.

By the time both clubs headed back to the room for the second intermission, a 3-0 Boston lead had evaporated, with the Penguins taking a 4-3 edge after John Marino exited the penalty box and beat Jaroslav Halak with 2.3 seconds left on the clock. 

Halak, having already been under siege with three other breakaway bids in the second period alone, slammed his stick against the crossbar in frustration before tossing it away in anger.

Boston might have been plagued by poor second periods earlier this season, but this particularly abhorrent — with the Penguins holding a 28-10 edge in 5v5 shot attempts and a 20-5 advantage in outright shots on goal by the end of the stanza. 

Ugly, ugly stuff.

B’s take their lumps, but punch back

For as ugly as that second period was, Brad Marchand put it best:

"At the end of the day - it’s the regular season. It doesn’t matter how you win. You just have to win.’

Boston struggled for most of the second half against the Penguins’ speed and ability to close in on puck carriers, but a few fortunate bounces allowed the Bruins to answer over the final 20 minutes of play — with Torey Krug blasting home the equalizer at 8:14 in the third before Marchand put Boston ahead for good with 1:57 to go in regulation — with his shot bouncing off of Jarry and into the back of the Pens' net.

The Bruins might have extended their winning streak to six straight games, but it’ll be tough to ignore how a much more agile Pens team really exposed Boston in a number of areas — especially on the power play, where Boston went 0-for-3 with just three shots on goal.

Bruins might have dodged a bullet with McAvoy

Even with two points secured, the Bruins could have been in deep trouble following tonight’s game when it came to their D corps — as Charlie McAvoy had to exit the game in the third due to an ugly head injury.

With Boston looking to go ahead on a late power play, a miscue from Matt Grzelcyk allowed Bryan Rust to skate in alone on a shorthanded rush against Halak. While Rust’s attempt was stopped, a charging McAvoy sailed into the Bruins net, with his head clanging off the post. 

While he did not return for the rest of the game, Bruce Cassidy said postgame that McAvoy might have only suffered a cut, although the defenseman wasn’t completely out of the woods. 

“Yeah, I don’t believe there’s anything more. It happened so late; I have not gotten an update,” Cassidy said. “First thing you’re worried about is a concussion, obviously, but I think it was just the cut in the back of his head and Torey [Krug] got kicked, too, up high. So, I’m going to assume that’s the worst of their damage will be some sutures, but until I get back in there and get a better read on it, I’ve got nothing else right now.”

THREE UP

Jaroslav Halak: The final numbers may not look too pretty, but the Bruins could have been down another two of three goals going into the third period if it wasn’t for Halak, who finished with 40 saves on 44 shots on goal. 

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1191512821349126153

Brad Marchand: Just another casual five-point night for Marchand — his second of the season already. This is just the 14th instance since 1986-87 in which a player has recorded multiple five-point outings through his team's first 14 games of a season. The other players joining Marchand? Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Ron Francis, Thomas Vanek and Pat LaFontaine. Not bad. 

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1191545259337175040

Jake DeBrusk: While most of the Bruins lineup was put on its heels against the Penguins for extended stretches, DeBrusk impressed — scoring his second goal in as many games during the first period. The second line of DeBrusk, David Krejci and Danton Heinen was the only Boston forward trio that was not out for a goal against on Monday.

TWO DOWN

Grzelcyk-Clifton pairing: Boston’s third D pairing had a rough go of it on Monday night, as the Penguins held a 15-3 edge in shot attempts and a 10-1 advantage in shots on goal when this duo was deployed for 11:34. With Kevan Miller’s return inching closer and closer, Boston’s blue line could be in line for a bit of an overhaul. 

Coyle Line: Pittsburgh managed to land quite a few punches against Boston’s third line — tallying a pair of 5v5 goals in 7:10 of ice time, while holding an 8-2 edge in shot attempts. 

PLAY OF THE GAME

Who needs J.D. Martinez & Mookie Betts when you have Brad Marchand? (I kid, I kid). 

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1191513700798218240

PARTING THOUGHT

I think JHalak spoke for quite a few individuals with his reaction at the end of that putrid second period: 

https://twitter.com/CrosbyMustache/status/1191531122615898118

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will now hit the road to close out their three-in-four slate, with Boston heading north to take on the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.