By Andrew Bluestein | Follow Me On Twitter / X @adbblue
The frustration continued for the Boston Bruins after losing 5-4 to the Los Angeles Kings in overtime Saturday afternoon at TD Garden. The Kings never led in regulation, and the Bruins surrendered a third-period lead after taking a penalty late in the third.
Head Coach Jim Montgomery addressed it after the game, saying, “Can’t take an offensive zone penalty there, can’t do it.” this marks their fifth loss on their seven-game home stand and their fourth in a row. It was easily one of the more difficult losses to swallow this season. Ā
First Period
It was an uneventful start to this one, with not much action in the first five minutes. The Kings had the first quality chance off an offensive zone face-off, but Linus Ullmark turned it aside. Los Angeles had another good chance on a scramble in front, but Ullmark sprawled out to smother the puck. It wasn’t until eight minutes in that the Bruins established any attacking zone time. Despite the slow start, Boston struck first after Trent Frederic took the puck to the net down low, and James van Riemsdyk put home the loose rebound for a 1-0 lead.
It looked as if David Pastrnak made it 2-0 25 seconds later, but the goal was waived off due to a questionable goaltender interference. The Kings responded and tied the game 1-1 when Matt Roy banked the puck off Ullmark from behind the net and in. Right after that, Frederic dropped the gloves with Andreas England in what was an even scrap. Los Angeles got the first power play of the afternoon but couldn’t cash in, as the Bruins killed it off.
Moments after that, Brad Marchand drew a slashing call on Drew Doughty. The Black and Gold were able to capitalize, ending a dry spell on their power play when van Riemsdyk grabbed his second of the game on a rebound in front. That gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead. The Kings had the shots on the goal edge in the opening frame 18-8, with Ullmark making seven saves.
Second Period
The Bruins opened the period with a solid couple of shifts highlighted by a great chance by Charlie Coyle in front setup by Hampus Lindholm, but David Rittich got a pad on it. Boston then had consecutive power play opportunities, and both went by the boards with not much being created on either. There was a span of some stalemate hockey through the midway point of the middle frame with not much action.
Boston broke that spell by extending their lead when Anthony Richard roofed on a Jesper Boqvist centering feed to make it 3-1. It was Richards’s first goal as a Bruin, which he spoke about after the game. “It was awesome; last year, I scored three goals on the road. Scoring at home is always more special.” The Kings got one back when Vladislav Gavrikov threw the puck on net from the point that appeared to deflect past Ullmark, making it a 3-2 game. Boston played a solid defensive period, holding the Kings to six shots while the Bruins had nine.
Third Period and Overtime
Boston had a solid chance right off the bat, with Frederic getting an opportunity just above the hash marks, but his shot missed the net. The Kings answered with a quality chance from Trevor Lewis walking in from the face-off dot, but Ullmark stoned him. Los Angeles tied the game 3-3 when Alex Laferrire shoveled home a loose puck in the crease on a net-mouth scramble.
The Bruins answered with Frederic burying a rebound that was thrown on goal by Morgan Geekie to give them a 4-3 lead. The goal completed a Gordie Howe hat trick for Frederic. With just under ten minutes left, a large scrum occurred, which resulted in Brandon Carlo and Pierre-Luc Dubois getting matching roughing minors. Pavel Zacha was called for holding last in the third period, and the Kings capitalized.
With 1:35 left and the extra attacker on, Anze Kopitar tipped home a game-tying goal to make it 4-4, which sent the game to overtime. The Bruins had a golden opportunity to win the game with a power play in the extra period, but they couldn’t execute. Brandt Clarke, who took the Kings penalty, scored the game-winner on a breakaway right after exiting the box to clinch a 5-4 Kings victory.
Up Next
Next, the Bruins will wrap their seven-game home stand against the Dallas Stars on Monday afternoon for a 1:00 p.m. puck drop. It will be the second of two meetings between the teams this season. Boston won the first game 3-2 back in December.
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