(Photo Credits: Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88

In their second meeting of the season, the Boston Bruins were unable to muster up a win this afternoon as they faced the New Jersey Devils. Despite some great shots on goals, and stellar saves by Jaroslav Halak, Boston was unable to carry over their game play from Thursday night’s win.

GAME BREAKDOWN

FIRST PERIOD

The first period saw Jaroslav Halak in between the pipes for the Boston Bruins. Within the first few seconds, Bruins’ Kevan Miller and New Jersey’s Miles Wood threw down some punches that saw both men heading off to the penalty box. New Jersey looked more active during the start of the game comparatively to Thursday’s game. Both teams put pressure down in each other’s zones. Boston continued to get some early shots on New Jersey’s net, however the Devils would go on the man advantage as Charlie McAvoy was called for a tripping penalty.

Boston was able to break up New Jersey’s attempt to score on the power play. The Devils peppered Halak in a shooting frenzy in front of the net, however he was able to stave off any attempts. Boston turned the play back down New Jersey’s end and drew a penalty as Charlie Coyle attempted to score on Mackenzie Blackwood. Boston was unable to garner any scoring chances as the Devils were successful in killing off the penalty.

As New Jersey tried to fire pucks on net, Boston found themselves having to play more defensively. Both goaltenders came up with big saves as each team anxiously looked to score the first goal of the period. Miles Wood would tip in a shot that went passed Halak as the Devils opened up the score 1-0. Later in the period, Boston’s Chris Wagner and New Jersey’s Kyle Palmieri got called on matching slashing penalties. The last few minutes of the first saw four-on-four action, unfortunately the Bruins were unable to score. Throughout the period, Boston had a hard time with forechecking and connecting with the puck.

END OF FIRST PERIOD: BOS-0, NJD-1

SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-7, NJD- 8

SECOND PERIOD

Slow start to the second period as both teams had a hard time handling the puck. Pace in play picked up in the second period with the Bruins keeping the puck down the Devils zone. Much like the first, Halak was forced to make timely saves as Boston’s defense worked to find their legs.

The Bruins had many missed opportunities as the Devils continued to limit their shots on goal. Boston would score, however the goal was waived off for goaltender interference. The call would lead to a coach’s challenge and the hockey gods were not on Boston’s side as New Jersey were awarded a penalty. Ironically, the shift in momentum would bode well for the Bruins as Captain Patrice Bergeron buried one past Blackwood, scoring his first short-handed goal of the season.

END OF SECOND: BOS-1, NJD-1

SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-13, NJD-8

THIRD PERIOD

The Black and Gold opened up the third with a man advantage as P.K. Subban was called for a holding penalty in the first few seconds. Boston would control the game-play as they kept the puck down New Jersey’s end, but were unable to connect. The Devils continued to slow the Bruins pace thus forcing (once again) Halak to keep the game at even score with New Jersey on his doorstep.

Midway through the period, both teams pushed to get the puck in the back of the net. Breakdowns in the Bruins defense left Halak opened for too many one-on-one-chances and luckily for the Black and Gold, the 35-year-old goaltender kept the team in the game. In the last minute of the period, Boston’s Matt Grzelcyk would be called for a hooking penalty, however for the second time, the game would go into overtime.

END OF REGULATION: BOS-1, NJD-1

SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-5, NJD-11

Boston’s Charlie Coyle would miss the net as he looked to score on the breakaway. A bad turnover in the Bruins zone forced Halak to save a potential game-winning goal. Sadly, with less than two seconds left, New Jersey’s Egor Sharangovich would score, giving the Devils their first win, 2-1. Boston came away with one point.

FINAL SCORE: BOS-1, NJD-2

TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-28, NJD-31

NEXT GAME: Boston Bruins vs. New York Islanders, January 18th, 2021, start time: 5:00 PM