Bruins/Islanders: Game 6

With their backs against the wall, the Bruins hope to stave off elimination against the New York Islanders in game six of their highly contested playoff series and get the series back to the Garden for a potential game seven. Before that can happen, the Boston Bruins need to handle business in game six first. On the brink, the Bruins find themselves shorthanded, particularly on the blue line, with a trio of teammates missing in Brandon Carlo, Kevan Miller, and now Curtis Lazar. Showing faith in his starting goaltender, coach Cassidy confirms Tuukka Rask will get the net despite coming out of game 5 in favor of Jeremy Swayman, in what Cassidy described as “maintenance”. Come puckdrop, both teams exhibit exuberance and excellent energy on par with the physical precedent in which had been established early on in the series. The first nail in the coffin of the Bruins season is hammered in at 8:52 when an unfortunate Travis Zajack wristshot on the rebound finds the back of the Bruins net, 1–0 Islanders. The first penalty of the game is called at the 5:47 mark of the first period putting the Bruins on their first powerplay, which is extended into a second powerplay. Bruins find the equalizer on a sweet dish by David Pastrnak to the right side, finding Brad Marchand who puts it over Varlamov for the game-tying goal 1–1 at the 17:36 mark of the first. The second period in the previous few games proved to be critical unraveling points for the Bruins, a motif the Bruins aimed to avoid at such a critical juncture. Though seems to remain futile at 5:20 of the second, when a Matt Grezclyk turnover finds the stick of Brock Nelson and the back of Tuukka Rask’s net for the 2–1 Islanders lead. The second period bloodletting continues when the Bruins defense promptly mishandles a pass from Rask along the boards when Brock Nelson scores his second on the night, but dinner begins to start to smell done at 16:07 of the second when a Kyle Palmeri goal trickles underneath past Rask for the daunting 4–1 Islanders lead. The Bruins are outshot 11–3 in the second going into the final period of their season. In an anticipated move of desperation to start the third, I expected to see young, upstart Jeremy Swayman inserted in net, I was shocked to see Rask resume his post at puckdrop. Bruins attempt to surmount their comeback while on the power play at 5:38, Brad Marchand straps his work boots on and powers his way in through the Islanders crease, scoring a gritty, blue-collar, backhand goal to cut the lead to 4–2. That would be as far as they would go though. the Islanders scored two empty-net goals while shutting down the neutral zone, controlling the pace of play, and limiting the Bruins to zero shots on goal until the clock expired on the Boston Bruins' 2021 season. Quite frankly, an embarrassing effort in an elimination scenario, that I was almost certain would produce different results. Bottom line: the Bruins looked overmatched at times during the series with too many passengers. Lacking true, quality depth at several key positions. The Bruins have several looming off-season questions on the horizon. They own the 20th overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft on July 24th, but this offseason will have the Seattle expansion draft to contend with as well three days beforehand. Enjoy the offseason and we’ll talk soon…

Bruins/Islanders: Game 5

Ahead of game 5 of the Bruins Islanders playoff series, we saw the reinsertion of Karson Kuhlman in favor of the struggling Jake Debrusk. An attempt to add a spark to the bottom 6 forward group. In the first period, the Bruins did exactly that, playing the body and making life difficult for Islanders' defenders. So much so that, almost a minute and a half into the game, Pastrnak makes up for the glaring miss last game, putting home a slapper from beyond the point to give the Bruins the early 1-0 lead. The scrappy affair continues. Late in the period, Kuraly takes a soft slashing penalty that leads to the game-tying Islanders' goal with a little more than a minute left. Slightly more than four and a half minutes into the second period, the Bruins take a slew of bad penalties, the first of which results in Kyle Palmeri standing out front putting the Islanders ahead 2-1, again on the powerplay. About three minutes later, Brad Marchand finds the Bruins equalizer, a highlight-reel goal, skating through the Islanders' defense and across the crease, stuffing it in at the far end to tie the game at two. The exuberance is short-lived as the Bruins have a series of defensive collapses resulting in the next three unanswered Islanders' goals, 5-2 Isles. To start the third period, after giving up four goals on sixteen shots, Tuukka Rask is pulled in favor of rookie netminder, Jeremy Swayman. Three and half minutes into the third period, while on a powerplay of their own, the Bruins start to chip away on a feed to Pastrnak at the center of the left dot, a slapshot finding the back of the net, 5-3. More than half the period later, David Krecji furthers the Bruins effort on a backhand shot from Mike Riley, which Islanders goaltender Varlamov originally thought he had secured to inch it closer 5-4. The comeback attempt proves futile as the Bruins put a barrage of shots on goal as the clock expires to zero. The Islanders take a commanding 3-2 lead in the series. I think coach Cassidy's comments after the game pretty much summed up how most everyone felt about the officiating outside of Long Island. Heartbreak ridge Wednesday night.

Bruins/Islanders: Game 4

In Game four of the series, the Islanders pervade a sense of desperation in their game, and for good reason. In such a contested series, no team at this stage of the playoffs can afford to go 0-2 in their own barn. If we thought game three was overly physical, then the first period of game four set the bar that much higher. Two separate bare-knuckle brawls in between a major scrum to set an early tone. Four minutes into the second period while on the powerplay, Bruins invade the Isle's crease and in a tussle pass the puck across to David Krecji, who scores his first playoff goal of the season. After a quick look, the good goal is confirmed and the Bruins are awarded another power play. Two and a half minutes later the Islanders just tie the game on Palmeri out in front, 1-1. The game plays on and continues and is highlighted by turnovers, no calls by the officials, big goaltender play, and even bigger defensive play all the way down to seven minutes left in regulation. Matthew Barzal gets it put up on a T and puts home the 2-1 Slapper to put the Islanders ahead. Casey Cizikas and JG Pageau seal it with empty-net goals. Islanders win 4-1. Bottom line: Islanders just fought a little bit harder and outshot the Bruins 34-29.

Bruins/Islanders: Game 3

As the series shifts over to Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY for game 3 of the highly contested series between the Bruins and Islanders, one of the big questions that loomed was the health of Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask. As pucks drops it's clear that this contest will be a low offense, physical, goaltenders' duel. Six minutes into the game, freshly reinserted Craig Smith roofs one over Varlamov, getting the Bruins on the board first, 1-0. The low offense and big-time goaltending continued all the way into the third with only six and a half minutes left in regulation, when Matthew Barzal manages to jam one home to finally get the Islanders on the board and tie the game 1-1, sending the game to overtime for the second game in a row. Brandon Carlo also left the game in the third, after a hit on the glass that had him come up woozy. The extra frame seems to be all Islanders, when Brad Marchand fresh on the ice finds a puck that he promptly brings up ice and fires a bad angle shot that finds the far end of the ner for the 2-1 game winning bruins goal. Bruins win and outshoot the Islanders 41-29.

Bruins/Islanders: Game 2

Before the start of game two of the Bruins and Islanders second-round playoff game, we saw the Islanders make a change in net, going to Symeon Varlamov in relief of young Russian sensation, Ilya Sorokin. The Bruins were also without Craig Smith, after he sustained an undisclosed injury last game, Karson Kuhlman slotted in his place. Charlie Coyle makes quick work to get the Bruins on the board first, just two and half minutes in, on a wristshot from Nick Ritchie, 1-0 Bruins. Bruins weather the storm in a shift of moment and several flurries of chances until the Islanders finally breakthrough on the powerplay, almost seven minutes into the second to tie it at 1. Four minutes later the Islanders take the lead on a Palmeri wrister from Ledy, 2-1 Isles. Islanders even further their assault, again on the powerplay, and this time Bruins nemesis J.G. Pageau for a 3-1 Isles advantage. Bruins got their work cut out for them in third and get to work, strapping on their work boots

 First, Captain Patrice Bergeron puts one home, halfway through the period, on a pass out front from Brad Marchand, 3-2 Bruins. Five minutes left regulation, Marchand ties the game at 3 from the right point on a pass from Charlie McAvoy to force the overtime period. Bruins get outshot 16-3 since the game-tying goal and give up a defensive miscue in the extra frame leading to a breakaway chance for the Islanders which ultimately leads to Casey Cizikas' game-winning goal for New York, 4-3 in OT. Tying the series at one game a piece.

Bruins/Islanders: Game 1

And the Match is set. Several days ago it was cemented that in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs the Bruins would square off again the New York Islanders. Who had just come off a high contested series against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, who they vanquished in six games. The Islanders at times this season gave the Bruins fits. Of course, that was before the injury to their captain Anders Lee and the trade deadline which was a game-changer for the Bruins. Game With a fury of chances from either side, no one manages to find the back of the net until almost twelve minutes in, on the powerplay, Beauvillier tips one in from Dobson, to give the Islanders 1-0 lead. Bruins answer back on a powerplay of their own with 24 seconds left in the period. When David Krecji kicks the puck out to Pastrnak at the right point, putting it home for the game-tying goal, 1-1 to end the first. Eleven minutes gone in the second, Bergeron finds a rebound out front that he sends out to passionate in the same spot, for the same result, his second goal of the game, on a diving attempt by the Islanders netminder,  to put the Bruins ahead 2-1. Not a minute and a half later, Pelech re-ties the game for the Isles on a bomb from way out, 2-2. For periods of time, it felt like the Bruins were being outdone by the Islanders' forecheck. Six minutes later Charlie McAvoy put any doubters to rest, on a slapshot from David Krejci to put the Bruins ahead 3-2. David Pasternak completes his second career playoff hat trick with a little more than 4 minutes left in regulation when he picks off a pass in the neutral zone that he brings it up ice, straight down main street, creating time and space for his third goal of the game, as the Bruins start to pull away 4-2. Taylor Hall puts a big, bright, shiny bow on it, with the empty net tuck with a minute and a half left in regulation for the eventual lopsided 5-2 victory in front of the raucous, full capacity Boston crowd, the largest of its kind thus far in the NHL this season.

Bruins/Capitals: Game 5

The Boston Bruins aimed to close out their first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals with a victory in Game 5. Soon as the puck drops you get a feel and sense of desperation in the play of the capitals. We saw a flip of the script if you will, with Washington doubling up the Bruins with shots on goal. Much like previous games in the series, we saw a scoreless first period, with skill and talent at a premium. With about two and a half minutes gone and the second period, Morgan Riley feeds David Pastrnak who skates across the middle, splitting the defense, putting the puck in on the far edge, giving the Bruh ns the 1-0 advantage. A little less than 6 minutes remained in the second period when Pastrnak is tackled to the ice freeing up the puck to Morgan Riley who feeds the puck out front to Bergeron, who puts the puck home uncontested for the now 2-0 Bruins lead. 11 seconds into the third period, Conor Sheary of Washington returns the favor, cutting the Bruins lead in half, 2-1. Seven and a half minutes remain in regulation when Pastrnak attempts to corral a puck that goes through his skates and drops back to Bergeron, who is able to settle it and fires it in for his second goal of the night, 3-1 Bruins. After a valiant effort by Washington is called back on goaltender interference, the Boston Bruins claim victory in five games, eliminating the Washington Capitals from playoff contention while being outshot 41-19. The Bruins await the winner of the Pittsburgh Penguins/New York Islanders series

Bruins/Capitals: Game 4

Coming into their game four matchup against the Capitals, the Boston Bruins looked to take a commanding series lead in the best of seven series. Right away it's evident that the Bruins are the team with more jump in their game right off the hop, outshooting Washington 37-20 throughout the game. Although scoreless, the Bruins looked dominant in the first period but it wasn't until eight minutes left in the second period did the Bruin manage to get on the score sheet. While on the powerplay after a vicious hit on Miller which resulted in him exiting the game, Brad Marchand gets the redirection on a David Pastrnak shot, 1-0 Bruins. Bruins continue to play a disciplined, well-structured defensive game throughout the remainder of the period, ending it on the power play which continued into the third. Thirty seconds into the period, after obliging his teammates in a game of tic-tac-toe with the Washington defense, David Pasternak finally finds that long-awaited goal, getting off the snide to make the score 2-0 Bruins. Not thirty seconds later, Charlie Coyle picks up Jake DeBrusk's loose change out in front of the net to make it a three-goal lead. At this point Washington looks visibly spent and frustrated, all the while being outhit and shot by a wide margin as well. Five minutes in, Washington salvages a goal finally but only on a deflection off of a Bruins' stick which is awarded to Ovechkin on the powerplay, 3-1 Boston. Ten minutes later, Matt Grezclyk, puts a bow on it, scoring the Bruins third powerplay goal of the night. The Bruins put the Capitals on the brink of elimination as the series shifts back to the nation's capital Sunday night for game 5.

Bruins/Capitals: Game 3

Ahead of the game three matchup, we saw the Washington Capitals make a change in net, going with llya Samsonov over soon-to-be 40-year-old Craig Anderson who had started the previous two games for the club. Bruins looked to take a lead in the series, with a little home brewing in front of a raucous Boston crowd. In a back-and-forth game of defensive chance, we don't see the first goal until almost halfway through the game, 8:21 into the second, when Ovechkin on the powerplay puts one past Tuukka Rask from office for the 1-0 Washington lead. Less than a minute later, Craig Smith delivers a tremendous pass in front to a spinning Taylor Hall who puts it up high to even the score at 1. Less than two minutes remaining on the period Washington gets the lead on a Garnett Hathaway pass to Dowd with the tip-in out in-front, 2-1 Caps. Bruins find the equalizer almost halfway through the third while on the powerplay Brad Marchand puts his best homerun swing on the net putting home the game-tying goal from Bergeron, 2-2. Bruins are save by two pipe-ringers down the stretch as now all the games in the series are now extended to overtime. After a scoreless yet eventful extra frame, the goes to a second overtime. Five minutes in Craig Smith retrieves a puck behind the net that goaltender Samsonov had left for Schultz, wrapping the puck around before the netminder had time to set, for the game-winning goal. The Bruins come from behind for the 3-2 victory!

Bruins/Capitals: Game 2

In game two of the Bruins/Capitals first-round playoff series, we saw the pugilistic spirit from the first game carry over off the get. Right off puck drop, there's a fury of hitting not to mention several breakaway chances for Washington. The Bruins get the first laugh five minutes in when Jake Debrusk pots his second goal in as many games from Coyle, 1-0 Bruins. A minute and a half Washington answers right back, a tip-in shot on the powerplay, tied 1-1. Almost three minutes later, Pastrnak finds Bergeron out front who beats Anderson glove-side for the Bruins' second goal on five shots, 2-1 Bruins. With about three minutes left in the period Washington yet again finds the equalizer on a deflected shot to tie the game at 2. After a scoreless, heavy second period where we saw the Bruins play a more organized, in-sync game. They came out in the third, immediately taking unnecessary penalties, which eventually rear their ugly face in the form of a Washington powerplay goal, seven minutes gone In the period to give the Capitals their first lead, 3-2. The Bruins dig deep and on a play where Taylor Hall brings the puck to net as chaos ensues. Hall skates around the other side of the and manages to poke the puck through amidst the scrum, tying the game at three with 2:49 left in regulation. Marchand makes quick work of the Capitals in the overtime period, just 39 seconds off a Matt Grezclyk feed. Bruins win 4-3, evening the series 1-1, as it shifts to Boston for Game 3 Wednesday evening.

Bruins/Capitals: Game 1

In the first game of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Bruins, the #3 seed, faced off against the Washington Capitals, the #2 seed. In a game defined by physically, we saw both teams delivering equal punishing hits. The Washington defense lived up to their billing, making life difficult for the Bruins every time attempting to enter the zone. The puck drops and, as I previously stated, hits were at a premium, and shots seemed to take a back seat, at least to start the game. Washington broke the scoreless tie about six and a half minutes into the game when Charlie McAvoy broke his stick on an attempted slapshot. Washington transitions the puck the other way on a breakaway chance while their best defenseman is trying to defend without a stick. Tom Wilson roofs the puck over Rask's left shoulder to give the Capitals the early 1-0 lead. A little more than 3 minutes later, right off the faceoff, Jake DeBrusk rockets a missile into the back of the Washington net, tying the game at 1. The shot sent Capitals goalie Vitek Vanecek into a split trying to stop the attempt, which saw him exit the game in favor of 39-year-old Craig Anderson. The heavy back and forth affair carries onto the second, and at around almost nine minutes into the period, Brendan Dillon fires in a bouncing puck that changes direction off of Jeremy Lauzon's stick, putting the Capitals ahead 2-1. Play continues, and about eight minutes pass when Nick Ritchie, while on the power play, dribbles one past Anderson that barely squeaks over the goal line, all even at 2. After an eventful yet scoreless third period, the game is extended to overtime. During the extra frame, TJ Oshie rips a shot from out high on Rask that Nick Dowd manages to get a stick on that dribbles through Rask's five-hole for the game-winning goal,. In order to remain competitive in this series, the Bruins need to up the physicality, fine-tune their game, particularly that of the first line, who seems to be half a second behind on each play. The two teams get back at it Monday evening for game two.

Sharks Are Eliminated From Playoffs + Season Wrap

The Sharks were fully entrenched and embattled in a highly contested four-game series against the Colorado Avalanche, and there was no wavering change in game two of the series. Alexander Barabanov has been nothing short of absolute gold for the Sharks since he came up, who quickly pots his second goal of the season from Hertl and Karlsson just past four minutes gone in the first, 1-0 Sharks. Sharks make their best effort to waiver the Colorado onslaught but start the falter about 7 minutes gone in the second, giving up the following three unanswered Colorado goals, 3-1 Avalanche. Almost midway through the third, while on the Avalanche powerplay, Evander Kane snags a turnover at mid-ice that he puts on net that and Logan Couture cleans up in front of the net for the Sharks score, 3-2 Avs. Five minutes later, Miko Rantanen tips in another Colorado goal. A little over 2 minutes later, Tomas Hertl attempts to mount a Sharks comeback on a deflected shot that goes in, but time expires, Sharks lose 4-3.

Any inkling of playoff hope lies in the balance for the remainder of the season. In game three of the four-game series against Colorado, the Sharks saw more of the same see-saw play as in game three. Evander Kane gets the Sharks on the board almost four minutes in when he cleans up Alexander Barabanov's shot out front to give the Sharks the 1-0 early lead. Two minutes later, Nathan McKinnon off the faceoff who feeds Miko Rantanen to tie the game at 1. Moments into the second period, the Avalanche turn the puck over in their defensive zone, and Hertl skates in and puts it home, 2-1 Sharks. Six minutes or so later, Hertl feeds Kane on the breakaway, adding to the Sharks lead, 3-1. A few minutes before the first ends, Colorado makes it 3-2 on a Nichushkin wrist shot. Three minutes into the third period, Timo Meier makes the score 4-2 when he scores a highlight-reel worthy goal, which would prove to be the last goal the Sharks score of the night. Sharks again prove their inability to hold the lead against the caliber of present company, for Colorado goes on a tear, scoring the following three unanswered goals ultimately surrendering the game-winner in overtime. Sharks lose 5-4 and are officially eliminated from playoff contention.

In the fourth and final game of the Colorado series, as the Sharks season winds down, they find themselves playing with more freedom and without the weight of playoff expectations and all the scrutiny that comes with that—just playing the game that they're accustomed to. After an uneventful opening period and half the second, Colorado gets on the board with two quick strikes starting at 15:49 and then again at 18:18 for the 2-0 Avalanche advantage. As Colorado aimed to escape the second period unscathed, Barabanov put a breakaway pass onto Evander Kane's stick, who dishes it over to Hertl, scoring the first of his two goals in his 500th career game with 13 seconds remaining in the second period, 2-1 Colorado. Then again, in the third, without even three minutes gone by, Kane throws it out front to Knyzhov and then to Hertl, who puts it home as he stumbles to the ice to tie the game at 2-2. Around 10 minutes left in regulation, Erik Karlsson puts the Sharks ahead when he catches a dish across the point from Kane, and this time the Sharks managed to weather the Avalanche offense down the stretch, getting a much-needed W in the final meeting between the two teams. Colorado blows the two-goal lead. Sharks win 3-2!

When the Sharks welcomed the Arizona Coyotes to the SAP Center for the start of their final two-game series of the season and a game for all intents and purposes, I was supposed to be at but couldn't make it. The Sharks came out with considerable step, perhaps a high off snagging a game against Colorado, who knows. But the Sharks get the scoring started with his little less than four minutes left in the first period when Erik Karlsson rockets in a wrister from beyond that beats Kuemper stick side, 1-0 Sharks. Sam Jose makes it 2-0 with three and a half minutes gone in the second when Timo Meier scores on a two-on-one breakaway, saying one over Kuemper's left shoulder. Arizona mounts the comeback scoring the following four unanswered goals to take a commanding 5-2 lead. Sharks doomed themselves on breakaways and lack of defensive presence in front of the net.

As they continue down the stretch and attempt to swallow their pride and play meaningful hockey with an emphasis on the youth movement, the Sharks attempt to salvage the last remaining game of the season against the Arizona Coyotes. Alexei Melnichuk gets his first start since February 11th, but the Sharks stumble off the get, surrendering the initial goal of the game, a wrist shot with only three and a half gone in regulation, 1-0 Yotes. Sharks respond with an answer three minutes later on a slapshot by Balcers from Chemelevski to tie the game at 1. About 5 minutes later, Arizona breaks the tie on a powerplay goal to put the Totes ahead 2-1. Almost four minutes go by in the first, and once again, San Jose gets the game-tying equalizer from Kevin LeBanc, an unassisted wrist shot, 2-2. Come more than five minutes gone in the second, Timo Meier scores a true power forward's goal when he skates across the crease, putting it past Hill for the 3-2 Sharks advantage. Arizona goes on to score over the following two unanswered goals before trade deadline sensation; Barabanov ties the contest at four in the initial moments of the third period. Still, the coyotes ultimately come away with the victory on a Phil Kessel overtime game-winner. Arizona sweeps the Sharks. Sharks lose another one 5-4.

In the final game of the season for the Sharks, the Vegas Golden Knights aimed to fine-tune their game before the start of the playoffs. The sharks who had been eliminated last week again we're playing for nothing other than pride. Vegas outclasses them in the first period, though, scoring the first six unanswered goals for a 6-0 shutout to end the Sharks 2021 season. Was this the final time we Patrick Marleau and Brent Burns suit up for San Jose? I think the shark showed a lot more promise as a makeshift AHL team this season than they did last season. They obviously had a lot of ups and downs, a lot of good things to build on but also a lot of things to work on in the offseason. I expect the Sharks to be a more competitive club going forward. The Sharks finish the season at 21-28-7 with 56 points, good for 7th in the Honda West Division

Bruins Qualify For Playoffs + Season Wrap

The Bruins and Buffalo Sabres square off at the Boston Garden for the final time this season. Craig Smith gets the Bruins on the board right away at the 1:21 mark with a tip-in shot from Krecji and Hall, 1-0 Bruins. Sabres, even the score on a score after a breakaway chance right out of the box, tied 1-1. With a little more than four minutes left on the first, Sean Kuraly scores his first goal on 31 games on a feed from Nick Ritchie to put the Bruins ahead 2-1. Captain Patrice Bergeron makes it 3-1 on a deflected shot, five and a half minutes into the second, and then Nick Ritchie comes through with a tuck of his own, a tip-in shot from Matt Grezclyk, a little over 3 minutes into the third. About 2 minutes later, Craig Smith adds his second of the game, a wrist shot after a dish from Mike Riley to make the score 5-1 Bruins. Sabers attempt to mount their ill-fated comeback a minute and a half later, finding the back of the net cutting it to 5-2 Bruins. Craig Smith completes his hat trick with six minutes left in regulation, another tip-in shot. Smith's second career hat trick. Bruins win 6-2!

On Monday, May 3rd, the Bruins traveled to New Jersey to take on the Devil's at the Prudential Center. The Bruins dominated the pace of play, outshooting New Jersey 29-8 in the first period and 42-20 overall. The Bruins got offensive contributions from Nick Ritchie, Patrice Bergeron, and Matt Grezclyk, two snapshots, and a slapper resulting, Zorbil, Kuraly, Bergeron, and Marchand (x2), all with apples, in 3-0 shutout for Boston. The game saw its first penalty at the 13:18 mark of the third when A.J. Greer boards Jakub Zorbil and is forced to answer a bell, chucking knucks against Connor Clifton; Zorbil returned soon after, appearing unscathed. Tuukka Rask records his 52nd career shutouts, and with the win, the Bruins qualify for the playoffs for the 5th straight season.

In the second game of the series, The Bruins chose to keep Jaroslav Halak fresh with a look instead of riding the young hot hand of Jeremy Swayman in net. The devil's hit the back of the net first with a powerplay shot right off the face-off at 11:18 of the first period, 1-0 Devils. The Bruins find the equalizer in the second period with a powerplay goal of their own when Pastrnak stick-shattered pass to Bergeron that he finishes to knot it all at 1. Around ten minutes of play pass when Taylor Hall tips in his own pass from Matt Grezclyk as he is upended in a brilliant play, 2-1 Bruins. Five or so later, after a defensive breakdown in front of the net, the Devil's put it home to even the game at 2. A minute and a half later, the puck rolls around the left end board where Nick Ritchie throws it out to the front of the crease where puck battle ensues until Sean Kuraly deposits his second goal in three games and thrust the Bruins ahead 3-2. It would, unfortunately, be the last Bruins goal of the night as the Devils come screaming back, scoring the final two on the answered goals, including the game-winner in overtime at the 2:42 mark of the extra frame. Bruins drop an embarrassing effort 4-3. Quite possibly the last time we see Halak dress in a Bruins uniform.

The Bruins welcome an emotionally spent Rangers team into the Garden, a game after their highly contested series against Washington, which garnered many reactions from across the league. The Bruins turned back to their young, hot stud Jeremy Swayman. The Bruins start their assault about seven minutes into the first period when Marchand dekes out four Rangers defenders to find Bergeron out front, who deposits it in the top corner of the net for the 1-0 Bruins lead. Later on, while on the powerplay in the waning moments of the period, Charlie MacAvoy with a rocket beats Ranger goaltender Georgiev with the man advantage and again Marchand with the apple, 2-0 Bruins. Then about six minutes gone in the second, Jake DeBrusk skates in and, with a wicked wrister, makes it 3-0 Bruins, getting the monkey off his back. His first score in 13 games. Brandon Carlo, who has missed 28 games this season, kicks off the third period with his third goal of the season, skating around the boards and banking a shot of the back of the New York goaltender. Bruins win 4-0, Jeremy Swayman records his second career shutout.

In the second game of the series, the Bruins seemed to come out with good legs under them, but we're trying to do too much, whether it was one pass too many or an errant stick in the play that didn't need to be there. Tuukka Rask is back in net, Bruins with solid, grade-A chances in the first, but it's the Rangers who get on the board first six minutes into the second. Bruins find the equalizer at the 18:12 mark on a Nick Ritchie wrister evening, the score 1-1 heading to the third. Twenty-one seconds into hird, David Pastrnak makes it 2-1 Bruins with a tip-in shot from Marchand, but the Rangers seem up to the task, compiled with a crumbling Bruins defense scoring the next three unanswered goals on four shots, 4-2 Rangers. Brad Marchand comes through with a powerplay goal from Krecji with six minutes left in regulation to pull it close 4-3 Rangers. More defensive miscommunication leads to another Rangers goal. Thirty seconds later, Bergeron adds the last Bruins offensive output they can manage to muster up. Bruins lose 5-4.

Bruins welcomed Ondrej Kase back to the lineup and also welcomed an early-season bane of their existence, but a foe they have fared well against as of late. While the Bruins have gone 10-3 since the trade deadline, the Islanders have only gone 5-6. If there is anything dire to do against the Islanders, it is to score first, and that is precisely what the Bruins managed to do with 39 seconds left in the first period when Taylor Hall buries a 5-3 powerplay goal from Krecji, where on the same play Marchand is slashed, and Pastrnak received the butt end of a stick to the chest from Leo Komarov, 1-0 Bruins. The Islanders answer right back with a powerplay goal of their own with less than 2 minutes gone in the second period. Less than five minutes later, Brad Marchand adds his 29th goal of the season, a tip-in shot from David Krecji, 2-1 Bruins. Before the start of the third period, it is announced that Kase would not be returning to the game. Matt Barzal re-ties the game a little less than 2 minutes later at 2, roofing a wrist shot over Rask's head. The two teams extend the game to the extra frame. Taylor Hall grabs a pass from Krecji at the redline and powers his way into the zone from the left hash marks, skating through the Islanders defense, putting one past stick-side for the game-winning goal! With that win, the Bruins secured the third seed in the Atlantic division and are set to face the Washington Capitals in the first round of the playoffs.

In the final game of the season, a makeshift Bruins lineup squared off against the foe they are set to meet in the first round of the playoffs, the Washington capitals. The Bruins put out a lineup, resting most all of their regular starters, putting a lineup on the ice of fourth-liners, call-ups, and prospects of the future. Both teams played a heavy game with lots of promise of the future. The game remained a scoreless affair until a little past Midway point of the second period, when Jarred Tinordi skates to the back of the net and finds Curtis Lazar for the goal in front, 1-0 Bruins. About 6 minutes later, Washington answers back with the only way they know how to beat Jeremy Swayman, and that's with a dirty, grimy goal. This young inexperienced Bruins squad shows that they can hang with the everyday mainstays of the Caps, all the way down to the last 2 seconds of regulation. Washington's Raffl fires in a terrible angled shot that manages to go in and out high bar. Bruins lose a heartbreaker of a regular-season finale 2-1. The two teams are set to start their playoff series on Saturday, 5/15. The Bruins finish the regular season at 33-16-7 with 73 points, good for 3rd in the Mass Mutual Atlantic Division.

Marleau Honored at Home + Sharks Get Off the Snide

Saturday, April 24th, for the first time all season, people were allowed to attend a Sharks game at the SAP Center. Players families and Arena workers only but still the perfect occasion for the Sharks to hold a pregame ceremony commemorating Patrick Marleau and his recent historic achievement. The Wild gets on the board only 19 seconds into the game on the first shot Martin Jones saw, which predicted the game to come. The Wild scored the next four unanswered goals until about a minute into the third, when a gift from God finds the loose stick of Logan Couture in a scramble in front of the net for his first score in 16 games, 4-1 Minnesota. About three minutes later, Minnesota makes it 5-1 on a powerplay score. Sharks make it interesting, though, scoring the next two goals, including the 1st goal of Joakim Blichfeld's career, until Nick Benito effectively ends the game for the Wild with his 6-3 empty-net score. To extend the sharks losing streak to an abysmal eight games.

After eight long games, the longest Sharks losing steak since the 2005-2006 season, sick and tired of being on the wrong end of almost every bounce, the sharks look to get back on track finally and put a W in the win collum when the Arizona Coyotes skated into the Tank for a two gamer. In a role reversal of the previous game, the Sharks get on the board only 17 seconds into the game on a feed from the back of the net to Noah Gregor for the early 1-0 Sharks advantage. San Jose assaulted Arizona netminder Darcy Kuemper with a barrage of shots scoring the three unanswered goals with scores by the big guns: Burns, Couture, and Karlsson, a 4-0 Sharks lead. Arizona proves they aren't going away quietly, scoring the following three unanswered goals themselves. Sharks still lead 4-3. With 8:50 left in regulation, Evander Kane enters the zone. He puts the puck on net, which ricochets and rebounds, which Alexander Barabanov, playing in his first NHL game, cleans up out front scoring what is eventually the game-winning goal to make it. 5-3 San Jose game. Jakob Chychrun of Arizona, a thorn in the Shark side all night, makes 5-4 with a little less than 5 minutes remaining in regulation. Evander Kane seals the deal, finally finding the net for 6-4 empty netter. Breaking the eight-game losing in front of their first actual crowd of fans of the season, securing the Sharks first victory since April 9th, and Josef Korenar picks up his first career NHL win

In a game that was virtually a mirror image of the game previously, the Sharks and the coyotes kicked off the second game of this set in virtually the same fashion. Sharks score first, early and often, potting the first three unanswered goals of the game by Kane, Balcers, and LeBanc. Until Arizona comes storming back, scoring the next two of their own. The Sharks, whether the storm, fighting off several Arizona surges before Tomas Hertl puts a bow on it, scoring the empty-net goal. Sharks win 4-2, a decisive sweep of the two-game series, a series in which the Coyotes never lead!

The upper echelon juggernauts of the Honda West Division, the Colorado and Vegas' out there are not opponents to be taken lightly. That is precisely what should be so worrisome to the Sharks when they travel to Denver for the first of four straight against the Avalanche. It is of the utmost importance that the Sharks are not drawn into penalties against this team for they tout one of the most lethal powerplays in the league. Sharks chose to find that out the hard way firsthand, when they are baited into two separate penalties, resulting in two separate powerplay goals for the Avalanche, 2-0 Colorado. After skating on their heels for most of the period and taking two more additional penalties, the Sharks managed to escape the second period unscathed. The Sharks entered the third with no high danger scoring chances through the first two periods, which continued well into the third, after a spirited, feisty bout between Kevin LeBanc and Nathan McKinnon and then a nullified Hertl goal after review. Sharks are shutout 3-0 after an empty-net goal as Time dwindled down.

Win Streak Snapped at Six but B's Still Surge

The Bruins go for the trifecta in the final game of the three-game series against the Buffalo Sabres. Boston found themselves without top forward Patrice Bergeron after the Bruins Captain blocked a shot with his foot last game. Another Buffalo goaltender, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, makes his NHL debut in net. Bruins get on the board two minutes into the game when Taylor Hall leads the breaks out after a pass from Rask, who dishes over to Steven Kampfer, who puts it home for the 1-0 Bruins lead. The Bruins soon find out the young Sabres have the better jump and legs under them in the game, scoring the next four unanswered goals, before Rask is ultimately relieved in favor of Halak, freshly returned off the Covid-list. The Bruins are just not there tonight in their mental execution and look visibly spent. The Bruins managed to score three unanswered of their own by Ritchie, Miller, and Hall in the waning minutes of regulation before an untimely Pastrnak turnover seals it for the 6-4 Sabres victory.

Bruins traveled to Pittsburgh for a flexed matinee affair Sunday afternoon, April 25th. Where we saw Captain Patrice Bergeron reinserted into the lineup, a sigh of relief to Bruins Nation, Jeremy Swayman was once again spectacular, surrendering only one goal in the game that came 4 minutes into the third period but unfortunately, that would be the only goal surrendered by either side. The Bruins suffered in aggravating 1-0 shutout. A game near flawlessly executed from an officiating standpoint with only one penalty being called late in the third on the Bruins on a high stick call. Bruins need to reach back and resurge what made them so effective during their six-game winning streak.

The Bruins vowed revenge on the heels of a 1-0 shutout at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Maybe revenge is too strong of a word, but fine-tuning their game is what they were looking for when Trent Frederic saw the ice for the first time in 21 days. A goaltenders clinic and defensive prowess engulfed much of the first two periods of the back and forth effort until David Krecji makes it 1-0 Bruins on a backhand shot from Charlie McAvoy. Marchand adds to Boston's lead a little more than halfway through the third when he brings the puck in and deflects it off the net. A scramble ensues; he reacquires the puck, putting it home for the 2-0 lead. Three minutes later, Taylor Hall scores his fourth in a Bruins uniform for a commanding 3-0 lead. There was a mere 3:39 that separated Tuukka Rask from his 51st career shutout when Jeff Carter gets a soft one past, but Bruins still cruise to the 3-1 win!

As the season winds down and Bruins' strong playoff push with games in hand doesn't go unnoticed, I think the Bruins must remember when the Buffalo Sabres and the New Jersey Devils of the world come into the garden not to play down to the level of competition. With eight games remaining, half of them against opponents mentioned above, and the two or three division seeds within reach, eight games are remaining but more importantly, 16 points still up for grabs. The Sabres came into Boston for their last series of the year against the Bruins. David Pastrnak gets the Bruins on the score sheet right away, 1:16 after puck drop on a one-timer from Bergeron and Marchand, the three most beautiful words in the English language to Bruins fans. Later in the period, Buffalo ties the game on a point-blank Bruins turnover in front of the net that the Sabres make them pay for. As Time expires in the first period, David Krecji beats the clock on a powerplay bomb from the point to put the Bruins up 2-1 going into the second period. The second period is marred by turnovers and undisciplined play that we see throughout the game. Still, it comes to a head in the third period, when Sam Reinhardt is left uncontested out in front of Tuukka Rask, tying the contest at 2. Which left me to question this team's compete level at times against opponents such as these. That was soon put to bed, though, when Charlie Coyle snaps the longest goalless streak of his career when he unassisted snaps the puck top shelf past Buffalo goalie, Luukkonen, to put the Bruins up 3-2. The Bruins put a dagger in them with a highlight reel assist by Krecji to Hall, then Marchand later with an empty-netter for the decisive 5-2 victory!

Patrick Marleau Breaks All-Time Record Amidst Longest Losing Steak of the Season

The last time the Sharks matched up against the Minnesota Wild, the Sharks had a two-game sweep against them, and coming into the action Friday night, April 17th, the Sharks were hoping for a similar result. The puck drops, and Tomas Hertl gets the Sharks off to the quick start, only 3 minutes and 30 seconds into the contest when he skates through the Minnesota defense and puts a slap shot on Cam Talbot for the early 1-0 Sharks advantage. The Wild answer back about six minutes later and end up scoring the next three unanswered goals. Evander Kane makes it a game with the 3-2 score with about 7:20 left in regulation with a short-handed goal, but too little too late as the wild hold off a late surge and edge out the Sharks. San Jose loses its fourth in a row.

Coming into the second game of the series,  Patrick Marleau was set to tie Gordie Howe's NHL all-time games played record with 1,767. It's really quite impressive once you think about it, a record that has stood for 59 years longer than any games played record of the other four major sports. After the puck is dropped and with 8 minutes left in the first period, Brent Burns snaps a shot on the net from the blueline that comes out of the net as fast as it goes in for the 1-0 Sharks lead. After that, the Wild seem to find their leggings and rattles off three straight goals in a minute 12 seconds. The Wild add insult to the injury by scoring two more goals in the second period. Joel Kellman adds a garbage-time too-little-too-late goal for San Jose, spoiling the night's festivities. The Sharks are eviscerated, in an embarrassing 5-2 score.

Monday night in Vegas against the Golden Knights was a night of celebration. A celebration of all things that are #12, Patrick Marleau. Come his first shift of the game, Patrick moved into sole possession of the all-time leader in NHL games played record, passing the immortal Gordie Howe. A record we could very well never see broken in our lifetimes. For the majority of the game, the Sharks played over their heads, putting forth a grade-A effort in front of Patrick's accomplishment, scoring the first goal of the game on an unassisted play by Knyzhov, his second of the season. All the whole holding Vegas scoreless through the first period. The second period starts, and more of the same, Noah Gregor with his own unassisted play to make it 2-0 Sharks. Shortly after that, about a minute later, Mark Stone scores the first of his two successive power play goals on the night, 2-1 Sharks. Then again, in the third, Stone ties the game 2-2 to force the eventual overtime in a point well earned by San Jose, but do eventually fall to Vegas on the shootout 3-2, but it was all eyes on Patty Marleau all night. 

If setting the NHL record for all-time games played wasn't enough, Patrick Marleau came into the second game of the series, playing in his 900th consecutive game, a streak dating back to the 2008/2009 season. For the first half of the game, the Sharks got what looked like a stellar goaltending performance from young prospect Josef Korenar. The second half of the game told a completely different story, one where the Sharks looked overmatched by Vegas, Mark Stone in particular. San Jose extended their season-long, six-game losing streak in a 5-2 loss to The Golden Knights. I want to start having positive takeaways from each loss from either club, even when there aren't many. So my positive takeaways from this game was Brent Burns laying a hit and upending Max Pactrociety, such a sight to see!

Tuukka Returns and Winners of Season Best, Six-In-A-Row

The Bruins aimed to continue their winning ways against the New York Islanders in the second game of the two-game series Friday night, March 16th. Jeremy Swayman gets the start, making it his fifth of the season. The first period seems to be a bit of a seesaw affair as both teams strive for the aggressive play that we saw in the first game of the series, but we are reminded that both these teams played the previous night, with chances on either end of the ice. Pastrnak stuns the Islanders with 2.4 seconds left in the first period when he buries it down low on a chance from Mike Reilly for the 1-0 Bruins lead. In the first minute of the second period, after being denied moments before, Taylor Hall, on a tape-to-tape pass from David Krecji, makes it 2-0, matching his output total in 38 games with Buffalo in just three with the Bruins. Just over a minute remained in regulation with the goalie pulled when Chris Wagner forces a puck out of the Bruins' zone, which finds Curtis Lazar for the empty net tuck to seal Jeremy Swayman's first career NHL shutout, who was the real story of the game. Bruins win 3-0!

Reading high on the waves of their first three game-winning Street since early February, the Boston Bruins welcome in the divisional leading Washington Capitals with last weeks 8-1 thumping still fresh in the backs of their minds; the Bruins expect much different results with a retooled and much healthier team taking the ice. Bruins jump out to an early 2-0 lead in the first with scores by Bergeron, a short-handed effort, and then Krecji about two minutes later with a tip-in. TJ Oshie of the Washington Capitals makes it 2-1 on a backhand shot with less than ten seconds left in the period. Lack of mental awareness and execution proves costly in the second period when Connor Clifton commits two 4 minutes high-sticking major penalties that lead to the next two Capital goals, a 3-2 Washington lead. Play continues, and about 2 minutes pass, Charlie McAvoy chips his own pass into the corner where along the boards, he feeds it out front to Pastrnak, who finds Marchand, who buries it in close to tie the game three aside. The Bruins scorers each tack on an additional goal each, including the 700th point of Marchand's career, an empty-netter to seal the 6-3 victory.

The Western New York basement-dwelling Buffalo sabers welcome the Bruins to KeyBank Center to start a three-game set on Tuesday, April 20th. Matt Grezclyk returns to the lineup after missing five games with an upper-body injury. With just less than twelve minutes remaining in the first and after a fury of relentless play in the attacking zone, Marchand backhands in, his team-leading 24th goal on the season. Sometime later, with 6:36 left in the first period, Tukkaa Rask absolutely robs Dylan Couzens on a wide-open net chance, a spectacular save! Three minutes into the second period, there's a pile-up in the crease with a turbulence of activity, Clifton puts a puck on net that slowly squeaks and dribbles through Buffalo goaltender Dustin Tokarski's five holes that he ultimately pushes into the net with his own skate blade, 2-0 Bruins. After a plethora of penalties, rain down on Boston, including a 5-on-3 Buffalo advantage in the waning minutes of the game, the Bruins maintain composure and pull this one out. The Bruins did not bring their A-game, but they did bring their good enough to win against Buffalo game. The Bruins are capable of beating the wheels off this club, and I hate seeing them playing down to competition. Bruins win 2-0

The Bruins continued their trudge through Western New York and the second game of the series against the sabers in the second game of the series. Brad Marchand breaks the scoreless tie eight and a half minutes into the first when Bergeron finds him out front and promptly potts the rebound for the 1-0 Bruins score. Buffalo makes it a game with a little more than 5 minutes gone in the second when former bruin Andrews Bjork finds Rasmus Ristolinen, who beats Swayman to tie the game at 1. Fresh off the faceoff and in only his second game back, Matt Grezclyk scores a bomb from the blueline for the 2-1 Bruins lead. And the Bruins just put it on cruise control for the remainder of the game, scoring the next three unanswered goals with tallies by Pastrnak, Ritchie, and Krecji. The Bruins deliver a 5-1 knockout punch to Buffalo!

Sharks Trade Dubnyk and Lose Momentum and Playoff Position

After a dud against the Ducks that put a skid to their four-game winning streak, the Sharks were eager to put that in the rearview and get to work against the LA Kings, who they found great success against thus far this season who were in town for another two-game set. The Kings get to quick work when Alex Iafallo puts a feed to the front of the next into the back of the net for the early 1-0 Kings lead. The sharks can quickly rectify that, putting in the next three goals before the end of the first period. With strikes by LeBanc, Marleau, and Balcers, the Sharks found themselves the beneficiaries of a 3-1 advantage heading into the second period. In the second period, there's not much happening for either side, except for maybe Jeffery Viel answering a bell in a mismatched fight against Curtis MacDermid, when it should have been Brendan Lemieux in there for his play along the boards. The Kings finally solve the Martin Jones puzzle again to start the third, in a bad angle shot, that's tipped in from in front of the net, 3-2 Sharks. The Sharks tie a ribbon on it with a short-handed goal by Dylan Gambrell and then an empty-netter by Hertl to seal the 5-2 victory. Marcus Sorensen features a new skill set to his game with two separate fights with Andreas Athanasiou

The trade deadline isn't until Monday afternoon, but it didn't stop the Sharks from trading goaltender Devan Dubnyk to the Colorado Avalanche for defenseman Greg Pateryn and 2021 fifth-round pick. A good move for San Jose, in my opinion, since Dubnyk hadn't been playing much with the Sharks riding Martin Jones' hot hand. Come game time, and the Sharks looked to sweep the Kings for the third time this season in the second game of the series Saturday night, April 10th. The two teams go back and forth defensively for the first half of the period before Jeff Carter puts one in from behind Martin Jones for the 1-0 Kings score. Five minutes later, the Sharks strike back when Dylan Gambrel cleans up a John Leonard deflected shot to tie the game 1-1. Kings dominate the second period scoring the next three unanswered goals, including a Dustin Brown powerplay goal as time expires in the period. To start the third, Sharks trying to ignite a spark, replace goaltender Martin Jones with Josef Korenar, who is making his NHL debut. Sharks munster up a powerplay goal of their halfway through the third by Timo Meier, but the Kings' lead proves to be too costly to overcome, and the Sharks fall 4-2.

Hot to get back to their winning ways they've become accustomed to as of late, the Sharks welcome the pacific basement-dwelling Anaheim Ducks into the Shark Tank for two games. Right off the bat, San Jose looks sluggish, with no legs under them, failing to clear pucks, defensive inadequacies. The Sharks put forth a real lackluster effort, giving up three goals in the first period, and are ultimately shutout 4-0 by a Ducks rookie netminder, Anthony Stolarz, who has 46 saves.

While I am sure the Sharks came into the second game against Anaheim in the series to put forth a much better effort than what we saw in the previous game, the Sharks again have no answer to solve the puzzle knows as rookie goaltender Anthony Stolarz. While Stolarz did not have the 46 save effort in this game as he did previously, he still shut out the Sharks until 2:20 left in regulation when the Sharks finally managed to get a puck past Stolarz on an Erik Karlsson slapshot, but too little too late, sharks cough up another one to the lowly Anaheim Ducks, 4-1. My positive takeaways from the game are  Dylan Gambrel hanging in there in a tilt with heavyweight Josh Manson. Something I would like to see more out of players up and down the line up beside the usual suspects.

Back-to-back Wins and a Capital Pummeling + Taylor Hall

For the sake of consistency purpose, the Bruins aimed to win two games in a row for the first time in almost a month, coming into a highly contested match with the Washington Capitals. The Bruins once again turned to Jeremy Swayman. They were again without top-pairing defenseman Charlie MacAvoy for the second consecutive games as he deals with the effects of an upper-body injury. Bruins get off to the quick start, 33 seconds in, right off the face-off, after a Jeremy Lauzon shot bounces around and dribbles past the Washington netminder for the early 1-0 Bruins advantage. Shortly after that, with four minutes left in the first, Anton Blidh sneaks one in for his first goal in five seasons to make it 2-0 Bruins. Four minutes into the second period, Brad Marchand extends to Bruins lead to 3-0 with a filthy, highlight-reel worthy short-handed shot. The Washington Capitals come roaring back with two quick goals, 19 seconds of one another after a double-minor penalty on Blidh is called along with a Jakub Zorbil interference call, which led to the 5-on-3 advantage for Washington. Craig Smith scores a power play goal to put a cap on it with 4 minutes left in regulation, and the Bruins win it 4-2 to win consecutive games for the first time since March 16-18th.

The last time the Boston Bruins had a three-game win streak was back on February 1st-5th when they took down Washington and Philadelphia, two games in a row. With three games in a row was on the horizon, the Bruins just needed to execute. The Bruins were winners of two in a row when they came into the Wells Fargo Center for a matinee matchup against the Flyers. Bruins get on the board 5 minutes into the first, when Patrice Bergeron buries a Craig Smith feed from out in front of the net, 1-0 Bruins. The Flyers scored the following two goals, including a power play goal from Gostisbehere with less than three minutes remaining in the period. Jake DeBrusk ties the affair almost halfway through the second period, on a Smith feed in the slot, but the Flyers kill any dreams the Bruins have of winning three in a row when a  Sean Couturier wrist shot in the this is the eventual game-winner, Flyers come back and upset the Bruins 3-2, who fail to win 3-in-a-row

The very next night, the Washington Capitals were back at the Garden to take on the Bruins in a game that most Bruins fans with a heartbeat would be looking for forget in a millisecond. Chris Wagner loses a fight with Brendan Dillon right off the face-off to start the game, and then from there, their lack of blueline depth was exposed like a molvtok cocktail through the front window of your worst enemy, an 8-1 bludgeoning. Craig Smith, scoring the lone Bruins goal during third period garbage time. Bruins needs to make moves come the trade deadline to remain competitive in this division.

With Taylor Hall, Curtis Lazar, and Mike Reily, the Bruins brand new trade deadline acquisitions in the lineup. The Bruins hope to turn the page on the 8-1 thumping two nights before and hopefully inject some exuberance into the lineup and finally solidify that second line. Hall's now-former team, the Buffalo Sabres, arrived at the garden with old friend Anders Bjork on their lineup. Less than 2 minutes into the affair, former Bruin Colin Miller scores a bomb from the blueline, beating netminder swayman cleanly, 1-0 Buffalo. Almost six and half minutes left in the first, Lauzon chips the puck in that deflects off the goaltender, and David Krecji puts home for the tie score. Five minutes into the second, new Bruin Taylor Hall brings the puck up-ice and drops it back to Craig Smith for the goal to put the Bruins up 2-1. Eight minutes left in regulation,  Jokijarju gets a puck to Rasmus Dahlin, who blasts a rocket past Swayman from the blueline to tie 2-2. Time winds down, and after an uneventful overtime period, both teams find themselves in the shootout. The Bruins score on both their first two chances with goals by Coyle and Debrusk, who roofs one over the goaltender's right shoulder for the game-winner. Bruins win 3-2!

No team has given the Boston Bruins fits much like the New York Islanders have in 2021. There's nothing the Bruins needed more with the Isles coming into the garden for a two games series than for the Bruins to get Tuukka Rask back in net and for the team to get out to a quick start. That's exactly what they got with a newly revamped aggressive checking fourth line that came out of the gates, ruining opposing players' nights. At almost two minutes gone in the game, Brad Marchand rings a puck in and out off the net camera, so quick no one was sure it went in, but after review, the goal was confirmed, 1-0 Bruins. Around seventeen minutes later, with three minutes remaining on the period, David Krecji dishes a pass from the boards to Craig Smith, who rockets it along the ice past Islanders goaltender, Varlamov for the 2-0 Bruins score. The second period starts, and the Islanders get themselves on the board on a Travis Zajac wrist shot, 2-1 Bruins. After a back and forth rest of the second, shiny new toy, Taylor Hall scores his first as a remember of the Black & Gold on a breakaway self pass from Pastrnak for the 3-1 advantage with almost two minutes gone In the period. Brad Marchand scores his second of the game on a bad angle shot for the empty-net goal. Bruins heat the Islanders 4-2 for their first victory against New York this season!

Kings Sweep and Winners of Four in a Row but Fall to the Ducks

The San Jose Sharks traveled down to the Staple Center for a two-game tilt against the LA Kings. An affair in which the Sharks' second line came alive and dictated the pace of play for a vast majority, scoring a goal in every period for the eventually 3-0 Shutout, where Matin Jones had 30 saves against his former team. In the first, at 3 minutes in, we saw a Balcers feed to the front of the net, Where Tomas Hertl tips the pass in for the 1-0 score. At 11 minutes into the second period, Hertl again, this time sending a pass from behind the net way out to Timo Mierer, who roofs it home, making it 2-0. After a Dylan Gambrel goal is called back five minutes into the third, Sharks find the empty-net goal with 37 seconds left in regulation when Brent Burns breaks his stick. Balcers immediately recognizes this and hands Burns his left-handed stick and immediately skips to the bench to reclaim a new one. Burns them passes Balcers a pass from to the boards into the empty, an incredible scene to see be played out. Sharks win 3-0.

In game two, the Sharks went right back to Jones, hot the heels of his stellar shutout performance. Sharks get to quick work on Jonathan Quick; four and a half minutes into the first, Kevin LeBanc dumps a puck in deep, only to be fed it by Couture, slapping in like a pinball, bouncing and hitting off everything on sight before finally finding the back of the net for the early 1-0 advantage. 2 minutes later, Kings come roaring back, tipping a puck past Jones to tie the tilt 1-1. Five minutes into the second period, Couture goes in deep behind the net to retrieve a puck that he swings out front to the tape of Evander Kane's stick, which puts it past the pads of a sprawled out Jonathan Quick to go ahead 2-1. Later on in the period, with four seconds left, while on a San Jose power play with, the Kings tie it at two pieces with a short-handed goal. There was a lot of speculation on how the Sharks would respond after giving up such a deflating goal going into intermission. Dylan Gambrel answers the skeptics when goaltender Jonathan Quick turns the puck over behind the net, which John Leonard instantly sends Gambrell's way for the easy score. The eventual game-winner, Sharks win 3-2 for the series sweep and, for the first time all season, win four games in a row!

Riding high on their longest win streak of the season, the Sharks welcomed the Anaheim Ducks into the SAP Center Tuesday, April 6th, in a game that the Sharks really couldn't muster up much of anything outside of Patty Marleau's powerplay goal in the second. A game in which Boughner tried implemented unconventional tactics to spark his team, such as pulling goaltender Martin Jones with 7:13 left in the third, which immediately backfired. Despite matching Anaheim for the most part with 34 to 35 shots on goal, the Sharks fall 5-1, ending their four-game win streak.