BSJ Game Report: Bruins 5, Wild 4 (OT) - Krug winner caps off wild comeback

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 5-4 overtime win over the Wild in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

Box Score

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

Another slow start: Well, it wasn’t the debacle that was Thursday night at TD Garden — in which the Bruins were outshot, 14-0, before they managed to land a shot on goal against the Sabres. But Bruce Cassidy and Co. still can’t be thrilled about Boston’s start on Saturday against the Wild. The B’s entered the first intermission down 1-0 with just nine 5v5 shot attempts through 20 minutes. 

Unlike Thursday’s disaster, Boston failed to generate much of anything in terms of sustained O-zone pressure — Saturday’s flaws came from an uncharacteristic lack of discipline (more on that later), as Boston was whistled for four penalties in the first period alone. Minnesota only managed to convert one of their four chances — a backhand shot that Jason Zucker tucked past Tuukka Rask just six seconds into a 5v4 sequence — but Boston, expending plenty of energy during multiple PK shifts, was unable to generate much of a response in the opening period. 

Saturday marked the first time this season that Boston had surrendered the first goal of a contest in consecutive games — and things would only get worse as the game progressed. 

The comeback: By the time three minutes were remaining on the clock, it looked as though it simply wasn’t going to be Boston’s night — set to suffer their first regulation loss at TD Garden all season. 



Unable to settle into a groove during 5v5 play thanks to seven penalties and a pair of power-play goals against, Boston struggled to claw itself out of a deficit that stood at two goals as the final minutes of regulation ticked away. 

But with under two minutes remaining and Rask pulled, Boston found life — as David Krejci tapped home a loose puck at the crease to bring Boston within one at 18:05. With the momentum back on the Bruin’s side, a call finally went Boston’s way seconds later, when Luke Kunin was whistled for a trip against Charlie McAvoy. Now operating on a 6v4 advantage, Krejci saved Boston from a sobering regulation loss — uncorking a one-timer that sailed past Alex Stalock with 1:07 left on the clock. 

This time around, a shootout was not going to be in the cards for the Bruins, who were lifted in overtime by Torey Krug — making his return to the ice after missing the previous five games due to an upper-body injury. Gathering the puck near Rask, Krug capitalized on an untouched lane of open ice in front of him, skating past Zach Parise and tucking the puck through Stalock’s five-hole to give Boston to dramatic 5-4 victory. 

FOUR UP

Torey Krug: There were some warts to his game — an O-zone slashing call against Kevin Fiala was a tough hit and a third-period goal from Fiala tipped off of Krug’s blade and past Rask — but the playmaking defenseman showcased some of what Boston was missing throughout the night, especially in the O-zone. Lost in the shuffle of his OT goal was his great bank pass to Brad Marchand off the end boards in the second period, which Marchand deposited into the Wild net for a last-minute goal. 

David Krejci: Krejci provided the heroics on Saturday, tallying two goals in 48 seconds to force overtime. The second-line center was a consistent force throughout the evening with Jake DeBrusk and Brett Ritchie — with Boston holding an 11-1 edge in 5v5 shot attempts in the trio’s 7:45 of ice time together. 

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1198432311806693376

Patrice Bergeron: Lost in the shuffle of Boston’s comeback was the play of Bergeron, who finished the night with four assists. Ten years ago to the day, Bergeron posted another four-assist night — against the St. Louis Blues. 

Tuukka Rask: Pressed into service at the last minute after expected starter Jaroslav Halak was ruled out sick, Rask was massive as Boston crawled back in the third period. Highlighted by a breakaway save against Zucker with 2:47 left in regulation, Rask was instrumental in Boston’s completed comeback. He finished with 32 saves in the win. 

https://twitter.com/Tucker_TnL/status/1198435434189262850

TWO DOWN

Charlie McAvoy: McAvoy had a number of quality looks in this one, but was unable to bury them against Stalock — highlighted by this 3-on-0 rush. McAvoy is the last remaining “regular” in Boston’s lineup that has not lit the lamp so far this year. 

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1198401050618859520

Brad Marchand: He might have tallied a goal in the final seconds of the second period, but Marchand still has to be tagged for some of the undisciplined play that cost Boston for most of regulation. Along with a roughing call in the first, Marchand was whistled for a cross-check against Jonas Brodin — less than three minutes after Eric Staal scored to make it 3-1 Minnesota. 

PLAY OF THE GAME

What else could it be? 

https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1198443745525608449

PARTING THOUGHT

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1198413266281730048

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will now head back on the road ahead of Thanksgiving, traveling north of the border to take on the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.