Bruins Return from Covid, Vladar Shines Again but Mediocre Play Continues

If there has been anything that has been a constant thorn in the Boston Bruins' side this season, it has been the New York Islanders. Thursday, March 25th, their first game in a week, fresh off their league-mandated covid-quarantine. The Bruins welcomed those very Islanders to the TD Bank Garden with Tuukka Rask back in net for the Black & Gold. The Bruins found themselves quickly up 2-0 with strikes by Kuhlman and Kampfer but soon found themselves looking at a tie game with 2 goals by the Islanders, one in the second and again another in the third after Halak Replaces Rask on goal after the first. The Islanders go ahead late in the third only to give up the game-tying goal to Bjork to give the game into overtime. The Islanders make quick work of the Bruins in the extra period by a score of 4-3, a frustrating loss, to say the least.

In a Saturday matinee affair, the Bruins welcomed Jeremy Lauzon back into the lineup for the first time since Lake Tahoe. The Bruins also welcomed the lowly Buffalo Sabres to the garden, where rookie netminder Dan Vladar made his second start of the season. Early on, we learn that Brad Marchand would not be available for the contest, for he had joined Jake Debrusk and Sean Kuraly, who have remained on the covid protocol list. Buffalo takes advantage of a powerplay late in the first before Matt Gryzclyk ties it in the second, his 2nd goal of the season. Shortly after that, Buffalo makes it 2-1 on a backhand shot by Kyle Okposo. That's before, in the third, a beautiful feed from McAvoy's stick finds the tape of Nick Ritchie's, who puts it home for his 9th goal of the season. Craig Smith adds his 6th goal of the season to seal the win, 3-2 Bruins!

Sometimes the inexplicable is exactly just that, inexplicable. Which sums up my feelings about the Bruins' season-long struggles with the New Jersey Devils, and no disrespect to them but a team Boston should handle every single time. Sunday afternoon, March 28th, Jersey rolls into town for a 2-game affair. A goaltender's duel and defensive effort with neither side giving up many chances besides a Kyle Palmieri tip in the first. That was until 1:10 left in regulation with the goalie pulled; David Krecji jars a puck lose from under goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood's glove, which Patrice Bergeron promptly puts home for the game-tying goal. Upon further review, it was determined Krecji's stick pushed blackwood's glove to free the puck, no goal for goaltender interference, a tough break Boston Bruins. Blackwood then solidifies the 1-0 Devils win and shuts the door with an unreal kick save as time expired.

Those pesky Devils returned to the garden for the second game of the series, with Brad Marchand and Brandon Carlo making their much-needed returns to the team. Devils get on the board not even 1:30 into the match by Devils public nuisance #1 Miles Wood, with the Bruins soon thereafter scoring their first 5-on-5 goal of the season against New Jersey by Nick Ritchie tying the game. Devils go ahead on a breakaway halfway through the period to put the score 2-1 going into the second. The second kicks off with a Bruins no-goal call by Matt Gryzclyk, and then New Jersey adds to their lead not 4 minutes later, 3-1 Devils. Brad Marchand delivers a crushing hit behind the New Jersey net, which Jesper Bratty takes exception with. The two drop the gloves before Marchand judo-flips Bratty to the ice, jumping on top of him with some finishing blows. The scrum really seems to change the trajectory of the game. A minute out of the box, Marchand sets up Bergeron, who beats Blackwood for the 3-2 score. Just over a minute later, Kyle Palmieri adds to New Jerseys' lead 4-2. In the 3rd period, Charlie MacAvoy inches the Bruins closer 4-3 with a score off a Craig Smith rebound, who also provides the assist on Matt Gryzclyk's game-tying goal with 4 minutes left in regulation to force the overtime. Neither team is able to breakthrough in the extra period; David Pastrnak ends the game in the second round of the shootouts for a hard-fought 5-4 Bruins win!