Bruins drop 3-2 overtime decision to Calgary
The Bruins’ third consecutive trip to extra time in Calgary did not go well.
After winning in a shootout at home against Dallas on Monday and then in overtime against the Oilers in Edmonton on Wednesday, the Bruins played the Flames to an intriguing overtime at the Saddle dome on Thursday. However, after the Bruins missed multiple chances to win, including a Mason Lohrei shot that hit the crossbar, Nazem Kadri beat Linus Ullmark with a wrist shot from the left circle with 1:04 left in overtime to give Calgary a 3-2 victory.
The Bruins were not terrific in the opening period, falling behind 2-1. The Flames even offered them a gift late in the period, which the Boston Bruins promptly returned.
Calgary led 16-8 in shots and may have had a larger territorial lead than the shots indicated. Much like the first encounter at the Garden two weeks ago, the Flames won the bulk of 50-50 fights and did an excellent job of limiting the Bruins’ space.
The Flames gained the game’s first lead off the rush when defenseman Oliver Kylington, the trailer who was not picked up by any Bruin defender, beat Linus Ullmark from the high slot to the glove side at 12:55.That one was returned to the B’s.
Late in the period, Mason Lohrei attempted to connect with Brad Marchand on a stretch pass across the middle but was just out of reach. That resulted in a sprint between Marchand and goaltender Jacob Markstrom, which Markstrom won. But the goalie was far away from his position, and when his clear attempt up the middle of the ice went directly to Charlie Coyle, the Bruins’ center was able to fire it into the empty net with 1:19 left in the first. That was Coyle’s 19th goal of the season, breaking his eight-game goalless run.
However, the Bruins could not go into the first intermission tied, as they conceded another rebound goal just 42 seconds later. Connor Zary blasted a puck at the net, which rebounded off Linus Ullmark. Continuing a disturbing pattern, an opponent was first to the puck, and Martin Pospisil scored with 36.1 seconds remaining in the period.
The Bruins begin to get chances in the second period, but no goals are scored. Pavel Zaca missed a rebound chance on one power play, and Markstrom robbed David Pastrnak after a wonderful set up by Brad Marchand. Then James van Riemsdyk sent Jakub Lauko off for a clean breakaway, but he couldn’t get his shot past Markstrom’s blocker.
The Bruins had a late power play that was negated when Pastrnak was called for a phantom slash.
The Bruins outshot the Flames 11-5 in the second period, but they still had work to do, beginning with a 30-second penalty kill to start the third.
They did it, tying the game at 2:33. Anthony Richard produced a brilliant pass off the glass from his own zone, setting up Coyle for a partial break. Coming in on the right side, the big centerman utilized his body to shield the ball from Calgary defenseman Rasmus Andersson before cutting over the top of the crease and beating Markstrom with a backhander for his 20th goal.
The Bruins had chances for the game-winning goal but were denied, and in the final seconds, the Flames clanged the post before Charlie McAvoy removed the puck from danger, sending it to overtime.
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