Final: Rangers 4, Bruins 3 (F/OT) - Bruins fall in overtime to Rangers

The Boston Bruins lose in overtime to the New York Rangers 4-3.

Despite being up a goal going into the third period, the Rangers played with more urgency through the final 25 minutes of the game to pick up the extra point.

In the first period, the Bruins encountered some defensive mistakes resulting in two goals by the Rangers. Midway through the period, the Rangers won a draw in their offensive zone, and Urho Vaakaninen fired a shot from the point that got tipped by Will Cuylle.

The Bruins responded with a goal by Elias Lindholm shortly after. As David Pastrnak entered New York's zone, an errant pass resulted in Lindholm tying up the game.

But the Rangers responded instantly. 30 seconds after Boston's goal, A breakout by New York's second line resulted in a JT Miller one-timer goal, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.

In the second period, the Bruins cleaned up their mistakes and improved on both sides of the ice. Elias Lindholm scored his second goal off a second chance attempt to retie the lead for Boston.

The Bruins weren't finished. Boston's first line had another offensive chance midway through the period, and Morgan Geekie fired an awkward shot that went past Jonathan Quick for the Bruins' third goal of the game. Geekie's goal also marked Pastrnak's 900th career point.

Boston successively killed multiple power plays through this period, and they went into the final intermission up one goal.

All the Bruins needed to do in the third period was prevent the Rangers from tying the game, but a late goal by New York tied the game once again. The Rangers cycled the puck in their offensive zone, and that lead to a Will Borgen goal from the point to send the game into overtime. 

In overtime, the Rangers possessed the puck for the majority of the extra time. Boston stood strong through most of New York's chances, but an offensive rush by Matthew Robertson gave the Rangers the game winning goal. 

Tonight was a winnable game. The Bruins played well defensively by killing four Ranger power plays, but they also allowed four goals caused by defensive mistakes. 

In the third period, it felt like the Bruins played on their heels. The Rangers pressured Boston trying to tie the game up, and the Bruins didn't have that same offensive urgency.

Although the Bruins get a point in this contest, there could've been another point added to Boston's record this season.

The Bruins will now travel back home to face the Nashville Predators tomorrow. Puck drop will be at 7 p.m.

___________________________

WHO: Bruins (30-20-2) at Rangers (21-25-6)
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Madison Square Garden, New York
TV: NESN
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub

PROJECTED LINES

Boston

Geekie - E. Lindholm - Pastrnak

Mittelstadt - Zacha - Arvidsson

Steeves -  Minten - Khusnutdinov

Jeannot - Kuraly - Kastelic

Aspirot - McAvoy

H. Lindholm - Lohrei

Zadorov - Peeke

Korpisalo

Swayman

New York

Panarin - Trocheck - Lafreniere

Perrault - Zibanejad - Miller

Othmann - Laba - Cuylle

Brodzinski - Carrick - Raddysh

Gavrikov - Schneider

Robertson - Borgen

Vaakanainen - Morrow

Quick

Martin

PREGAME NOTES

The Boston Bruins carry a two-game winning streak into Madison Square Garden facing off against the New York Rangers.

Nikita Zadorov didn’t practice Sunday. Coach Marco Sturm said the defenseman received treatment. Zadorov is projected to play in today's game despite getting injured against Montreal.

Last game against the Canadiens, Morgan Geekie notched is 100th career NHL goal. “To be able to come back in the third and put together a solid performance and get the two points is all that matters,” Geekie said. “It’s tough to win in this league. ... It’s nice for us to get that one and just keep going.”