The Boston Bruins lost a thrilling 4-3 overtime game to the Minnesota Wild after blowing a three-period lead for the third time in their last four games.
In spite of the fact that wild forward Kirill Kaprizov scored two goals, including the game-winning goal in overtime, 39-year-old goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stood out in this contest as he made 40 saves to give his team the victory. Ryan Hartman and Marcus Johansson both scored for the Wild, who play the Bruins at home on Saturday night in Minnesota.
With 1:6 remaining in regulation time, Brad Marchand tied the game at three goals, forcing overtime after David Pastrnak scored twice for the Bruins in the first period.
Boston Hockey Now’s Bruins postgame is here:
CLUTCH: Without Marc-Andre Fleury, the Minnesota Wild would not have scored a single point in this contest. The three-time Stanley Cup champion was outstanding in what may be his final game at TD Garden if he decides to retire as predicted. The 39-year-old veteran goalie buckled down after giving up two goals in the opening frame and played flawlessly the rest of the way. After stopping all 34 shots in the remaining two periods, Fleury added two more saves in overtime to secure his fourth victory of the year and career, moving him three victories away from tying Patrick Roy for the most all-time.
Honorable Mention: David Pastrnak is leading our clutch group this season by a wide margin, so we might soon need to give him his own section here. After the Wild and former Boston Bruins winger Marcus Johansson had given the visitors a 1-0 lead on the powerplay at 7:44 of the first period, Pastrnak leveled the score at one with his 18th goal at 11:29 of the first period.
Then, with the first period coming to an end, the Bruins caught the Wild off guard in the closing seconds. Pastrnak was spotted in the slot by center Pavel Zacha in his first game back since December 9.With just 4 seconds remaining in the frame, the Bruins’ best player scored his 19th goal of the year to give the team a 2-1 lead.
DOGHOUSE: The Bruins let up a lead for the third time in their previous four games as they relaxed once more in the third period. For whatever reason, the Bruins haven’t been able to put the pressure on their opponents in the closing session for the eleventh time this season.
BANGER: Jakub Lauko, a winger for the Boston Bruins, played just 8:39 and failed to score. But if he hadn’t gotten into a brawl with Wild forward Connor Dewar four seconds after Johansson gave the Wild the lead, the Bruins might not have matched the score and grabbed the lead thanks to goals from Pastrnak in the first period. When Lauko emerged from the fight, his squad and the fans were both energized.
Later on in the session, Lauko attempted “The Michigan,” but Fleury rejected him, nearly blowing the roof off.
UNSUNG HERO: Coming into Tuesday’s match, Kirill Kaprisov had not lit a lamp in six games. He scored his ninth goal of the season at 13:12 into the third period to equal the score, and then he scored his tenth goal to win the game 2:54 into the overtime session. It seems like he picked a fantastic moment to end his scoring slump.
Boston Bruins Lineup
Forwards
Brad Marchand-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak
Danton Heinen-Charlie Coyle-Jake DeBrusk
James van Riemsdyk-Morgan Geekie-Trent Frederic
Jakub Lauko-John Beecher-Oskar Steen
Defensemen
Matt Grzelcyk-Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Carlo
Parker Wotherspoon-Kevin Shattenkirk
Goalies
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman
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