(Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images)
Final: Blue Jackets 6, Bruins 2 - Blue Jackets score 4 goals in 2nd period as Bruins struggle to kill penalties
The Boston Bruins lose their second game of the season to the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2 in what was a disappointing first game back from Christmas break.
The Bruins started the first period flat, allowing a power play goal in front of the net for Sean Monahan's first goal of the game. However, the Bruins were able to respond later in the period as Pavel Zacha received a one-timer goal from David Pastrnak behind the net which tied the game for Boston.
The next period got worse for the Bruins. In the second, Boston allowed four goals to Columbus in a terrible defensive period. During these 20 minutes, Boston allowed three breakaway opportunities, multiple odd-man chances, and two power play goals that gave the Blue Jackets a 5-1 lead.
The Blue Jackets jumped out early in the final period and scored their sixth and final goal of the game. The Bruins were able to finish the game with a goal from Charlie Coyle, which extended Brad Marchand's point streak to 12 games.
After probably their best win of the season against the Capitals earlier, the Bruins took a complete 180 in this game.
Boston looked sluggish. They struggled skating to pucks the entire game, and Columbus was the better skating team in this contest. As a defensive paring, Charlie McAvoy and Nikita Zadorov had a rough performance where they struggled to defend against Columbus's run-and-gun offense that resulted in two minor penalties from McAvoy.
The Blue Jackets also dominated the Bruins on special teams. Their power play was much more efficient and which generated constant offense and multiple goals against Boston's penalty kill that completely fell apart. The Bruins had two opportunities on the power play, but they failed to get any true scoring chances during their man-advantage.
Tomorrow, the Bruins will take on the Blue Jackets once again, this time at the TD Garden. Puck drop will be at 7 p.m.
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WHO: Bruins (19-13-4) vs Blue Jackets (14-15-6)
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Nationwide Arena, Columbus
TV: NESN
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub
ROSTERS
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PROJECTED LINES
Boston
Geekie - Zacha - Pastrnak
Marchand - Lindholm - Coyle
Brazeau - Frederic - Wahlstrom
Beecher - Kastelic - Koepke
Zadorov - McAvoy
Oesterle - Carlo
Lohrei - Peeke
Korpisalo
Swayman
Columbus
Voronkov - Monahan - Marchenko
Van Riemsdyk - Fantilli - Ashton-Reese
Johnson - Sillinger - Olivier
Pyyhtia - Kuraly - Johnson
Werenski - Fabbro
Mateychuk - Provorov
Christiansen - Severson
Merzlikins
Tarasov
PREGAME NOTES
The Bruins will play a home-and-home weekend series against the Blue Jackets starting in Columbus. This will be the second time this year the Bruins have faced Columbus.
David Pastrnak was on the ice during Friday's practice and will play in tonight's game. Pastrnak left Monday's game against the Washington Capitals after dealing with an upper body injury.
Joonas Korpisalo gets the start in net tonight against a Blue Jackets team that he once played for.
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