BSJ Game Report: Oilers 3, Bruins 2 - B's 10-game win streak comes to a close

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

HEADLINES

B's shut down McDavid, but lose to Oilers: Anytime Connor McDavid is held off the scoresheet, it's usually a good night for the opposition.

Unfortunately for the Bruins, the Oilers managed to erase a 2-0 deficit and beat the B's, 3-2, Thursday at TD Garden.

The Bruins led 2-0 after 20 minutes on goals from Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, but Edmonton countered with a pair of goals in the third to end Boston's 10-game win streak.

McDavid finished the contest with no points, one shot and a -1.

"I thought the Oilers were the better team," Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said. "They were good, we weren't good enough. I thought they outplayed us, outworked us and out-coached us."

Jeremy Swayman faced off against the Oilers once again but took the loss in this meeting, finishing with 19 saves.

"I just think they played harder," Swayman said. "A couple breakdowns, but it's hockey, I think it's good for us to take the positives and move forward."

Marchand scored on the Bruins' first shot of the game in the first, squeaking a snapper past Stuart Skinner from the left faceoff circle. The Oilers had the B's trapped in the defensive zone for an extended stretch, before Marchand won a race to the puck in the neutral zone and pocketed his 20th of the season.

The Bruins appeared to have scored on the power play during the middle portion of the frame, but Edmonton challenged for offside and the goal was taken off the board.

As time was expiring, Pastrnak slapped home his 45th of the year to put the B's back up 2-0. Boston's star winger scored with 0.3 seconds remaining in the first period.

The Oilers recorded the only strike of the second as Evan Bouchard scored at 10:44. Matt Grzelcyk fell at the offensive blueline, springing Edmonton loose for an odd-man rush and Bouchard beat Swayman blocker-side.

Ryan McLeod evened the score at 2-2, early in the third period, following a turnover from Patrice Bergeron in the neutral zone. The Oilers quickly gained possession and McLeod found open ice in the slot and knotted the score off a pass from Devin Shore.

The Bruins didn't appear to be in bad shape the rest of the period, however an innocent shot from the point off the stick of Darnell Nurse found its way in, and wound up being the game-winner.

The loss marks the first time the Bruins did not record a win after holding the lead through two periods since 2021. The last instance also occurred against the Oilers.

TWO DOWN

Charlie Coyle: Has been an excellent third-line center all season, but on Thursday, the Weymouth native was a bit too passive on offense. Coyle passed up a couple of great shots during the same shift in the second period, and instead opted to pass to players that weren't open.

Coyle wasn't the only one, but his two examples highlighted Montgomery's classification of the offense.

"We were a very non-competitive team offensively tonight, I guess is the best way to say," Montgomery said. "Turning down shots, not driving to hard areas, not winning enough battles to create O-zone time. It was a good lesson for us to learn.

Jeremy Swayman: He looked soild for most of the game, however, the goal from Nurse is probably one he should save. There was nobody directly in front of him and the shot didn't appear to change direction, Swayman looked to have just been leaning the wrong direction.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Pastrnak barely beat the horn in the first intermission. Just barely.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins host the Red Wings on Saturday for the first of a home-and-home matchup. The Bruins beat Detroit, 5-1, back on Oct. 27.

Puck drop is set for 1 p.m.