BSJ Game Report: Coyotes 4, Bruins 3 - Last-minute goal dooms Bruins in Arizona

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 4-3 loss to the Coyotes, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Bizzare ending hands B’s first loss to ‘Yotes since 2010: In a game where the Bruins substantially tilted the ice in their favor when it came to shot volume and scoring chances, it’s only fitting that a bizarre, frustrating evening at the cramped, 5,000-seat Mullett Arena ended in the fashion that it did for the B’s.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock in the third period, it looked as though the Bruins were content with letting Friday’s matchup against a lackluster Coyotes club carry into overtime. 

But whether the Bruins thought that a skittering puck in their own end was going to be called for icing (it crossed into the crease) or Boston simply just took their foot off the gas, Arizona pounced at the opportunity — with Matias Maccelli snatching the puck down low and feeding Lawson Crouse for the go-ahead goal with just 14 seconds remaining in regulation.

When we charted through this brutal gauntlet of games that the Bruins were set to trudge through from late November to mid-December — I really didn’t think a regulation loss to the Coyotes (who had lost 19 straight games to Boston) was going to be a tangible outcome.  Just a weird conclusion to a very frustrating night for Jim Montgomery’s crew. 

Bruins unable to beat Vejmelka: The Bruins were pretty steamed in the final moments of Friday’s bout — and for good reason, given how they let this one slip away off that “icing” play. 

But make no mistake, the Bruins also have to be kicking themselves that they weren’t able to do more damage against Arizona netminder Karel Vejmelka — who repelled 43 shots in a game where the B’s held a 22-9 edge in high-danger scoring chances at 5v5 play.

Yes, this might be a game where you just have to tip your cap to the opposing goalie. But the Bruins were also culprits of far too many fly-bys in the offensive zone, falling into a few bad habits from previous seasons when it came to settling for quantity over quality.

TWO UP

Charlie Coyle: Another game, another impressive showing from Coyle and that third line. Along with giving Boston a brief lead by knocking home a loose puck near the crease at 7:48 in the second, Coyle helped his line string together some lengthy shifts in the offensive zone due to his trademark puck-protection skills. Taylor Hall might be the top playmaker on this bottom-six unit, but Coyle is the engine that drives a lot of their promising shifts.

Karel Vejmelka: Listen, the Bruins could have gone out and buried five goals over the final 20 minutes of play — and Vejmelka would have still earned a spot on this list. In just those first 40 minutes of play, Vejmelka had an expected goals against rate of 4.59.

FIVE DOWN

Jeremy Swayman: While Vejmelka was routinely under siege, Swayman wasn’t tested nearly as much in this one — but still let in four goals on just 16 shots. The Bruins need a lot more from their young netminder so far this season, because he’s been prone to letting in a few soft ones during his time between the pipes. 

That entire sequence on Crouse’s goal: Be it the Bruins thinking it was icing, Derek Forbort zoning out and fumbling the puck or Swayman biting and allowing Crouse to rifle one home, this was just an ugly way to lose a very, very winnable game on the road. 

Hampus Lindholm: Lindholm was still a workhorse (23:04) and had a nice play that helped set up Nick Foligno’s power-play goal in the third — but he does get knocked for gliding in Boston’s end and not accounting for Nick Schmaltz on Arizona’s third goal of the evening. 

Matt Grzelcyk: Whether it be that unnecessary hooking call at 14:48 in the third period or other miscues with the biscuit, it sure seemed like Grzelcyk was fighting the puck all evening. 

Mullet Arena: Yeah, so much for a vintage, college-like atmosphere. Whether it be the awful sight lines, busted Zamboni, blaring music or the fact that you could hear the Coyotes’ home broadcast audio during the NESN feed, it’s embarrassing that an NHL team is playing in a venue like this.

PLAY OF THE GAME

LOOSE PUCKS

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will close out their three-game trek out west with a rematch against Bruce Cassidy and the Golden Knights out in Vegas on Sunday night. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m.