Final: Oilers 3, Bruins 1 - Bruins get shutdown, gives up shorthanded and power play goal

The Boston Bruins fall to the Edmonton Oilers 3-1.

It was a competitive game tonight, but the Oilers made the most of their opportunities as the Bruins struggled against backup goalie Calvin Pickard.

In the first period, the Oilers and Bruins traded power play goals. Edmonton was the first team to land on the man advantage after a tripping call against Mark Kastelic, and Connor McDavid found Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for the first goal of the game.

On Boston's power play attempt, the Bruins successfully transitioned into Edmonton's own zone, and a beautiful backhand goal from Pavel Zacha tied the game going into the first intermission.

The Bruins and Oilers continued trading offensive chances in the second period. Midway into the period, Edmonton's starting goalie Tristan Jarry left the game due to an injury, and Pickard stepped up.

After two key saves from Pickard, the Oilers generated their own offensive chance, and Quinn Hutson backhanded a shot past Jeremy Swayman off a rebound. 

The Bruins needed a goal heading into the third period, and they received an early chance with their second power play attempt of the game. Boston applied the pressured against Pickard, but one shot recovered by the Oilers resulted in a breakaway from McDavid. The three time Hart Trophy winner backhanded a shot past Swayman, and the Bruins went down 3-1. 

McDavid's shorthanded goal killed any momentum for Boston. They ended the game with three penalties, having no answer against Pickard.

The effort was there, but the Oilers made less mistakes compared to the Bruins. Edmonton won the special teams game and stayed out of the box, something the Bruins failed to do.

Boston will now take on the Canucks on Saturday to continue their homestead. Puck drop will be at 7 p.m.

____________________

WHO: Bruins (20-14-0) at Oilers (16-12-6)
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: TD Garden, Boston
TV: NESN
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub

PROJECTED LINES

Boston

Geekie - E. Lindholm - Pastrnak

Mittelstadt - Zacha - Khusnutdinov

Steeves - Minten - Eyssimont

Jeannot - Kuraly - Kastelic

Zadorov - McAvoy

H. Lindholm - Peeke

Lohrei - Soderstrom

Swayman

Korpisalo

Edmonton

Nugent-Hopkins - McDavid - Hyman

Podkolzin - Draisaitl - Savoie

Mangiapane - Henrique - Janmark

Jones - Frederic - Hutson

Ekholm - Bouchard

Nurse - Stastney

Stillman - Emberson

Jarry

Pickard

PREGAME NOTES

The Boston Bruins take on Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers for the first time this season.

Right now, the Bruins have won five of their last six games, most recently beating the Utah Mammoth 4-1 on Tuesday.

Boston currently has the most wins on home ice in the Eastern Conference with 12.

Tanner Jeannot did not practice with the team on Wednesday because of an illness. He is expected to play on Thursday.