By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88
It was a busy afternoon for the Boston Bruins as they hosted an early afternoon match-up against the visiting Ottawa Senators. While Boston dropped their last two games against the pesky Sens, they earned a 3-1 victory in front of the home crowd. David Pastrnak tallied two goals while Charlie McAvoy had a three-point game and was heavily involved in both goals by Pastrnak.
Prior to today’s game, the team celebrated a huge milestone for one of their seasoned veterans: David Krejci. The 36-year-old would celebrate his 1,000 NHL career game played with the Bruins.
GAME RECAP
The first period saw the Boston Bruins’ special teams being tested earlier on with multiple penalties including a dreaded five-on-three. Both Craig Smith and Patrice Bergeron sat out on tripping and hooking penalty. Boston limited Ottawa’s shots during their power play. The Bruins continued the five-on-three when Hampus Lindholm and Claude Giroux sat out on matching slashing penalties.
With the B’s at full strength, the boys in black and gold struck first with Jake DeBrusk scoring off his own rebound sending the puck past Kevin Mandolese. Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy tallied the assist on the goal. The Senators would unfortunately even the score at one-a-piece when Claude Giroux backhanded the puck past Linus Ullmark. Ottawa outshot the Bruins 13-10 to end the first period.
Seconds into the next period the Bruins were back on the man advantage with Tim Stützle sitting out on a holding penalty against Jake DeBrusk. Lots of zone time and aggressive plays by the Bruins created multiple scoring chances against the Sens.
A huge save by Ullmark kept the game 1-1 after a shot attempt from Dylan Gambrell. Boston continued to limit time in their own zone as they look to extend their lead over the Senators. After a reviewed play was ruled a no-goal (the puck had not completely crossed the goal line) the Bruins made their next shot count as David Pastrnak wristed his 40th goal this season scoring off a Charlie McAvoy feed.
The Bruins would close out the second period with a 2-1 lead and outshooting Ottawa 14-11.
Continued relentless gameplay from the Bruins spilled over into the third period. The B’s would return to the power play when Marchand drew a tripping call after a shot attempt. Despite some close chances, no goal for Boston.
Pastrnak made it 3-1 after scoring his 41st goal of the season on the breakaway made possible by a pass from Charlie McAvoy. The Bruins defeat the Senators 3-1 in their third meeting of the season after losing their first two match-ups. Pastrnak now has posted his third 40th goal season, joining the likes of Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, Rick Middleton, and Cam Neely.
NEXT GAME: Boston Bruins versus Seattle Kraken on Thursday, February 23rd with puck drop at 10:00 PM EST.
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