Boston. Bruce Cassidy's return to TD Garden was a Stanley Cup Final preview, and it did not disappoint.
The Vegas Golden Knights took a 3-0 lead early in the second period, but the Bruins came back and scored twice in the second period and went on a power play in the third to force overtime. After a long stretch in which Boston couldn't score due to the team advantage, former Bruin Reilly Smith scored the game-winning goal in a shootout in Vegas.
The 4-3 loss ended Boston's season-high 14-game winning streak at home.
The Bruins released a video tribute to Cassidy to mark the former coach's return to Boston
Golden Knights rookie Logan Thompson made 40 saves in his eighth road win of the season, while Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swaiman had 21 saves.
The Bs begin a three-game road trip against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. But before we get to that game, here are four Bruins-Golden Knights picks.
1) Terrible start, four bets on the first hole
The Golden Knights came out strong, which is not surprising given the importance of this game to their coach. Vegas was faster, sharper and more exciting than Boston in the first 20 minutes, and their efforts were rewarded when Paul Cotter put his team ahead in the 96th second.
The Bruins couldn't score the puck and Kotter was left alone with a great scoring opportunity that he closed in the slot.
The Golden Knights doubled their lead less than four minutes later when David Pastrnak scored a puck that Jonathan Marcheso used in a brutal layup. Swaman made a good save on the first shot but couldn't find the rebound.
The Bruins played well during the first half of the season, scoring 13 goals in the first 20 minutes in the first 23 games. On Monday night, they couldn't hold on to their success from the first game.
2) Boston's hitting streak ended.
The Bruins broke the league record for most home wins in a season opener with 12 and extended that streak to 14 before the Golden Knights ended Boston's historic streak.
The Bs became the third team in league history to win 21 consecutive home games between seasons, including the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Before Monday night, the last time the Bruins lost at the Garden was on April 14 of last season (a 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators). Although the winning streak was snapped, the B's are still on a 22-point streak and Bagan is going into the 2021-2022 season.
The Bruins will return to Boston for a five-game home series against the New York Islanders beginning on December 13th and will look to start a new home winning streak.
3) Boston is mostly red
The Golden Knights lost their nerve early in the third period, earning two penalties in a 25-second span that gave the Bruins a great 5-on-3 play with 1:35 left.
Although the B's didn't relinquish a two-man advantage, Taylor Hall rebounded in front of the net just after the first penalty to tie the score at 3-3.
The Bruins have played no more than 10 games in a row. The division entered Monday with the second-best shooting percentage at 29.5 percent, behind only the Colorado Avalanche at 32.5 percent.
Check out this high-quality item of most Bruins here:
- November 12 Buffalo Sabers : 1-3
- Nov. 13 vs. Vancouver Canucks : 2-for-6
- November 17 against "Philadelphia Flyers" : 2-4
- November 19 vs. "Chicago Blackhawks" : 2-3
- Nov. 21, Tampa Bay Lightning : 2 of 4
- November 23, Florida Panthers : 2 of 6
- Nov. 25 vs. Carolina Hurricanes : 1-for-6
- Nov. 29 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning 1-1.
- December 3 vs. Colorado Avalanche : 1-5
- December 5 vs. Golden Knights : 1-4
The Bruins have 15 of 42 (35.7%) power players in their last 10 games, and those 15 power players are tied with the Lightning for the league lead across the board.
The Bs have not dominated the 5 a side this season, conceding just 21 goals in 24 games. It saved their strength during the last two weeks. It's safe to say that a 35.5 percent win rate isn't sustainable in most games, so Boston will have to address its 5-on-5 issues soon.
4) All local elected officials
Jack did not come home to Eichel on Monday night.
Eichel is having a great season with 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 26 games for the Golden Knights, but he suffered a lower-body injury and missed Saturday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. brown bears.
Eichel returned to the NHL's elite to battle the Bruins in Vegas.
The North Chelmsford, Mass. native, Boston University freshman has not played against the Boston Bruins since Dec. 19, 2019. Acorn has been suffering from neck and back problems for two years, but his recent physique has been neglected. Injuries wise, this season has been relatively healthy.
The 26-year-old center won't return to TD Garden until the 2023-24 season, unless the Golden Knights and Bruins meet in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.
