The Boston Bruins’ injury report for the past week has not been encouraging. On December 7, Derek Forbort was placed on injured reserve. Two days later, on December 13,
the team announced that top center Pavel Zacha and defenseman Charlie McAvoy would also be placed on injured reserve in addition to Forbort (from ‘Bruins place Charlie McAvoy, Pavel Zacha on IR,’ Boston Herald, December 14, 2023). The announcement is made as the Black and Gold prepare for a challenging stretch of play, which includes three games in four nights against elite teams in the Metropolitan Division.
The Bruins fell to the New Jersey Devils 2-1 in overtime on Wednesday night, December 13, in their first game since placing three teammates on injured reserve. They defeated the New York Islanders 5–4 in a shootout on Friday night, December 15, in a game when they overcame a three-point deficit three times to earn two points in the standings. Here are three things to remember after Boston’s 19-5-4 loss.
Bruins’ Power Play Ultimately Results in
The Bruins haven’t had many power play opportunities lately, but against the Islanders, they converted both of their opportunities in the second period to tie the game after falling behind 2-0. Having trouble finding any offensive play, goalie Linus Ullmark’s amazing toe stop on Simon Holmstrom set up a goal for Morgan Geekie to give the Bruins their first opportunity to score.
After James van Riemsdyk passed to Geekie, the goal was scored from the bumper position. Following the whistle for an excessive number of players on the ice, David Pastrank scored off a pass from Kevin Shattenkirk to equalize the score. Shattenkirk and van Riemsdyk linked in the third period, with the former Philadelphia Flyers forward rerouting the ball home to equal the score once more. For the Bruins, who are occasionally an offensively challenged team, the power play goals are crucial.
Bruins Take Long Island’s Two Points
The Bruins never took the lead during a play, but they were able to rebound late in regulation to tie the game when Mason Lohrei scored with 3:09 remaining on a feed from behind the net against Islanders goalkeeper Ilya Sorokin. This was made possible by their power play. The Bruins had trouble producing many 5-on-5 opportunities until the second part of the third period and overtime.
In the first period, New York outshot Boston 15–9, but the Bruins were fortunate to be tied 0-0 after managing only one shot in the last 9:58 of the frame. To their credit, Boston persevered and rallied three times to force overtime and the shootout before Charlie Coyle and Pavel Pastrnak scored goals to seal the victory. They made icings and bad choices at the offensive blueline in the second period, which gave New York two goals.
Once More, Linus Ullmark Was Powerful
Ullmark was the only one who could have prevented the Black and Gold from receiving two points. The 2022–23 Vezina Trophy winner gave it his all to keep his side in the contest once more. He turned away every one of New York’s 15 shots in the opening frame, and he had little chance at both of the goals he allowed in the second. Likewise, for Brock Nelson’s and Mathew Barzal’s power-play goals in the third period.
He produced some excellent stops during the second half. After making a pad save to deny Kyle Palmieri on a one-timer, he stopped Jean-Gabriel Pageau on a two-on-one, and then he stopped Holmstrom with an amazing toe save. Ullmark made 33 saves during the game, including stops against Mathew Barzal and Horvat during the penalty shootout.
Quick Takeaways for the Bruins
The Bruins play their third game in four nights on Saturday night (Dec. 16) at home against the New York Rangers, so there isn’t time for relaxation. The Rangers, who are now leading the Metropolitan Division, will also be playing a back-to-back after defeating the Anaheim Ducks 5-1 at home.
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