Final: Bruins 6, Sharks 3 - Coyle scores back-to-back goals in 3rd period as Bruins complete comeback against Sharks

The Boston Bruins defeat the San Jose Sharks 6-3 winning in comeback fashion. While it wasn't the prettiest performance, the Bruins were able to score when it mattered most.

Facing off against the worst first period team in the NHL, the Bruins went into the first intermission tied 1-1. Boston scored the first goal of the game with a tipped goal from Vinnie Lettieri, recording his second goal in consecutive games.

Barclay Goodrow then tied the game for San Jose finding himself open in the slot during a dump-in play from the Sharks.

Early in the second period, the Bruins received their first chance on the power play. On the man advantage, David Pastrnak scored his fourth goal in four games giving Boston the lead again.

However, the Sharks responded, taking advantage of defensive miscues from Boston. Right after Pastrnak's goal, Lexington native Will Smith scored against his hometown team which again tied the game.

The Bruins had another chance on the power play later in the period. Boston kept the puck in the offensive zone the full two minutes, but moments after San Jose's power play expired, Fabian Zetterlund scored in transition giving the Sharks the lead heading into the third period.

A strong third period from Boston's second line helped the Bruins complete a comeback victory in the final 20 minutes of the game. With the Bruins pressuring San Jose goalie Yaroslav Askarov, Charlie Coyle tied the game for Boston with Brad Marchand and Matthew Poitras receiving an assist on the play.

Minutes later, the Bruins transitioned into their offensive zone and Coyle scored his second consecutive goal ricocheting the puck off of a Shark skate from the back of the net which found its way past Askorov. 

The Bruins completed their comeback with Marchand and Elias Lindholm both scoring empty net goals, and Boston now have retook their spot in the wild card seeding.

The end score of this game doesn't tell the full story for the Bruins. Facing off against one of the worst teams in the NHL, the Bruins struggled, specifically on the defensive side. Boston struggled to defend the sharks in transition as this entire game. Each defensive pairing wasn't in sync, as Joe Sacco yet again changed up his D pairings without Charlie McAvoy in the lineup.

On a positive note, the Bruins played another solid game on the power play. They scored another goal on the man advantage and were able to keep the puck in the offensive zone the majority of their chances.

Both goalies played great in this game. Joonas Korpisalo made multiple key saves which kept Boston in the game despite the multiple lead changes. On the other side, Askorov, a coveted goalie prospect for multiple years with the Nashville Predators, made incredible saves agains the Bruins, and the score of this game would've looked different if either of these goalies weren't playing as well as they did. 

All that matters is the Bruins picking up two points in a game they were expected to win, and they did so.

The Bruins will now take on the Devil in New Jersey on Wednesday. Puck drop will be at 7 p.m.

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WHO: Bruins (22-19-6) vs Sharks (14-28-6)
WHEN: 1 p.m.
WHERE: TD Garden, Boston
TV: NESN
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub

LIVE BOX SCORE

PROJECTED LINES

Boston

Geekie - Zacha - Pastrnak

Marchand - Poitras - Coyle 

Whalstrom - Lindholm - Lettieri 

Brazeau - Beecher - Kastelic

Zadorov - Peeke

Wotherspoon - Carlo

Lohrei - Oesterle

Korpisalo

Swayman

San Jose

Wennberg - Granlund - Smith 

Eklund - Celebrini - Zetterlund

Grundstrom - Kunin - Graf

Goodrow - Strum - Dellandrea

Thrun - Ceci

Ferraro - Liljegren

Walman - Rutta

Askarov

Georgiev

PREGAME NOTES

For the first time this season, the Bruins will take on first overall pick Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks.

Elias Lindholm will play on the third line for the first time this season. Matthew Poitras bumps up to the second line.

The Bruins will be without Trent Frederic for today's game. According to interim coach Joe Sacco, the physical forward is out with an illness.