By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88
Lady luck was not in the TD Garden tonight as the Boston Bruins looked tired, slow, and downtrodden as they lose 4-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights. Tonight marked the return of head coach Bruce Cassidy who was placed on the COVID-19 protocol. The team also lost their leading goal scorer, Brad Marchand, and Craig Smith as it was announced earlier today that both players were placed on the 10-day COVID-19 protocol. Unfortunately, they will miss six games (including tonight’s matchup). After winning their last two games in their Canadian trip, the team returned home for tonight’s game before heading back out on the road.
GAME BREAKDOWN
It was a quiet start to the game as both teams slowly started to get their legs warmed up. Boston would be on the man advantage as they drew their first power play of the night when Brett Howden was called for holding against Patrice Bergeron. There were a few shots however no score from either team.
Gameplay picked up as Vegas had a near-missed chance to score on Jeremy Swayman. The Golden Knights opened up the scoreboard as Shea Theodore slapped the puck in past Swayman. Unfortunately, Vegas would extend their lead 2-0 after Max Pacioretty scored his 7th straight goal.
In the last 18 seconds of the period, the Bruins were on the penalty kill as John Moore was called for hi-sticking. After a double deflection off some Bruins skates, puck luck continued for the Knights as Vegas scored with seconds left to the period, making it 3-0.
SCORE END OF THE FIRST: BOS-0, VGK-3
SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-7, VGK-10
After a rough start to the first, the Bruins were looking to get more of a jump to their game in the second period. A rush towards the Knight’s net saw Erik Haula wrist a shot that was easily snatched up by Robin Lehner. As the Bruins’ gameplay started to fade away, Vegas widened their lead 4-0 as Max Pacioretty scored his second goal of the night.
The Bruins’ confidence continued to wane even after a potential goal by Charlie Coyle. Boston’s offense looked disconcerted as Vegas continued to put pressure on Swayman. Amidst the boos from the home crowd, the Bruins looked wounded as they walked down the tunnel to close out the second period.
SCORE END OF SECOND: BOS-0, VGK-4
SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-16, VGK-18
Things looked to turn around for the boys in Black and Gold as Patrice Bergeron got the B’s on the board after scoring 21 seconds into the third period.
SCORE END OF GAME: BOS-1, VGK-4
TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-24, VGK-25
NEXT GAME: Thursday, December 16th @ New York Islanders with puck drop after 7:30 PM
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