By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88
It was a New York sweep as the Boston Bruins won both of their back-to-back games extending their road game win streak to six victories. Tonight’s 3-1 win in Madison Square Garden is the team’s fourth straight win. A fast-paced match-up between two solid teams saw multiple scoring chances that tested both ends of the ice.
GAME RECAP
Lots of action to start the game as the Bruins get on board early in the first period. Pavel Zacha scored off a deflected puck from an initial shot by David Krejci at 01:19 making it 1-0.
The Rangers were first on the penalty kill when Chris Kreider was nabbed for holding against Hampus Lindholm. Boston would briefly have a five-on-three man advantage when New York’s Adam Fox tripped Charlie McAvoy. The Rangers were able to kill off both penalties. Boston’s Craig Smith sat in the box for interference against Filip Chytil to close out the first period.
New York would finish off their man advantage (stemming from Smith’s penalty) to start the second period but were unable to get on the scoreboard. With the assists from linemates Brad Marchand and Craig Smith, Patrice Bergeron made it 2-0 for the B’s at 04:42 snapping one in past Igor Shesterkin.
Many anxious moments down Boston’s end as the Rangers continue to look for their first goal of the night. New York had no issue putting pressure on B’s goaltender Jeremy Swayman however scoring chances were thwarted.
Boston had quite a few scoring opportunities including a two-on-one chance from Charlie Coyle and Tayor Hall. The Bruins once again closed out the period on the penalty kill with Connor Clifton seeing time in the box for a delay of game penalty (puck over ice).
With the final period underway the Bruins looked to extend their lead over the Rangers and the team did exactly that. Fresh out of the penalty box, Clifton made it 3-0 scoring off a Marchand feed hitting top shelf at 00:28.
New York was back on the penalty kill shortly after the Clifton goal when Jacob Trouba tripped Hampus Lindholm. Minutes later Alexis Lafreniere was called for hooking against Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins would have their power play cut short as Bergeron skated off for interference against Chris Kreider.
Both ends of the ice saw a good amount of pressure and zone time with many breakaway chances for either team. The Rangers would finally get their first (and only) goal of the night when Ben Harpur tallied his first goal of the season, making it 3-1.
With time running out, New York made one final push playing with six-on-five and an empty net; the Rangers could not muster any goals.
FINAL SCORE: BOS-3, NYR-1
TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-27, NYR-32
The Bruins are now 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. Swayman made 31 saves tonight and is now 6-0-2 with a .941 save percentage. New York netminder Igor Shesterkin made 24 saves. Defenseman Brandon Carlo gingerly walked down the tunnel in the second and did not return to the game due to a lower-body injury. Boston is now 36-5-4 and still leads the league with 76 points.
NEXT GAME: Boston Bruins versus San Jose Sharks @ TD Garden Sunday, January 22nd with puck drop at 7:00 pm.
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