FINAL: Bruins 5, Coyotes 3 -Pastrnak's second goal of day gives B's big insurance late in win

The Bruins defeated the Arizona Coyotes 5-3 on Saturday afternoon behind David Pastrnak's three point day with two goals and an assist. Pavel Zacha did not return to the game after the first period. 

The B's got off to a slow start in the first period as they lacked energy and puck control. Boston was outshot at one point 9-1 in the period. Despite all of that, the Bruins went into the intermission up 2-0 thanks to a goal from David Pastrnak at the 15:22 mark, and then Charlie Coyle scored :48 after to make it 2-0. 

Pavel Zacha did not return to the game after the first period due to an upper-body injury. It is unclear what the extent of the injury is at this time. The second period saw a lot of scoring take place starting with Kevin Shattenkirk recording his second goal as a Bruin at the 2:02 mark which made it 3-0, and Pastrnak and Brad Marchand were credited with the assists.

 The Coyotes answered back :48 later thanks to a goal from Clayton Keller which cut the lead to 3-1. Arizona scored again :32 later thanks to Michael Carcone which made it 3-2. However, Danton Heinen answered abck for Boston at the 9:12 mark which made it 4-2. 

The third period started with Lawson Crouse scoring 3:20 into the third period which made it 4-3. 

Arizona kept their foot on the gas for most of the game and did not go away as they lived in Boston's zone. However, Pastrnak scored his second goal of the day in a big spot at the 14:29 mark which gave Boston a big insurance goal to close it out. 

Linus Ullmark was one of the big reasons for the B's win as he finished the day with 31 saves in net. 

The Bruins will be back in action on Wednesday night as they will be at the New Jersey Devils with face off set for 7:30 p.m. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Linus Ullmark had to stand on his head today for the B's to earn the win. Can't just rely on goaltending all the time. 
• Boston let Arizona stay in this game with too many penalties and lived in their zone. 
• B's got off to another slow start. Lacked toughness, energy and puck control at different points throughout the game. 
• Pastrnak came up big in a three point day with two goals and an assist. 
• Will have to keep an eye on any updates on Charlie McAvoy's status as well as Pavel Zacha for Wednesday at New Jersey.  

____________________________________

WHO: Coyotes (13-10-2) at Bruins (17-5-3)
WHEN: 1p.m.
WHERE: TD Garden, Boston. 
TV: NESN, NHL Network 
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub
LIVE BOX SCORE
ROSTERS

BOSTON

Marchand-Zacha-Pastrnak
Van Riemsdyk-Coyle-Frederic
DeBrusk-Poitras-Heinen
Steen-Beecher-Geekie

Lindholm-Mitchell
Grzelcyk-Carlo
Lohrei-Shattenkirk

Ullmark

COYOTES

The Bruins welcome in the Arizona Coyotes to TD Garden for matinee matchup at 1p.m. Boston is looking to bounce back after a 3-1 loss on Thursday night to the Buffalo Sabres. Charlie McAvoy will not play today after leaving Thursday's game with an upper-body injury. Jim Montgomery told reporters that McAvoy is considered day-to-day. Jakob Lauko will also not play for the B's today. Matt Poitras will return to the lineup today for the Bruins after sitting out on Thursday as a healthy scratch. 

"It is something we've been discussing, trying to put him in situations to have a lot of success,” Montgomery explained after the game on Thursday. “So, this was planned, he'll be back in the lineup on Saturday. And this is an opportunity for him to build some strength and rest into his program…it's a grind. It's a tough league, and this is why we think he can help the Bruins the most and help his game the most in a positive fashion. So, this has been in the works for a little while,” Montgomery continued.

Jeremy Swayman, who did not suit up on Thursday, was back at practice on Friday and will be in uniform today. However, Linus Ullmark will get the start in net. Morgan Geekie will play in his 200th career game for the Bruins today. Brad Marchand has scored the last five goals for Boston dating back to December 2nd at Toronto. The Bruins sent Brandon Bussi back down to Providence. 

The B's face an Arizona team that is coming off a 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night after winning five straight games against the last five Stanley Cup winners (Washington, St. Louis, Colorado, Tampa Bay and Las Vegas). The Coyotes are tied for the top wild card spot with the Nashville Predators in the Western Conference. Clayton Keller leads the Coyotes in points (24) and Michael Carcone leads the team in goals (12). Since November 9th, Arizona has the fourth best penalty kill in the NHL with a 90.7% success rate.