By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones
The Boston Bruins got back to their winning ways Friday night by besting the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 in overtime. Morgan Geekie rocketed home two goals, and Jeremy Swayman was outstanding between the pipes, stopping 31 of 32 shots. The Bruins improved their record to 13-10-0 in the crowded Eastern Conference.
First Period
The Bruins started off strong with offensive zone time and chances, but they could not cash in on the first power play of the night. Halfway through the frame, the Kings were awarded a five-on-three for 70 seconds. Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, and Pavel Zacha were given the tough defensive assignment and limited prime scoring chances for Los Angeles, due to their sound defensive structure.
Swayman made his best save of the period on the penalty kill, flashing his glove to rob gifted goal scorer Adrian Kempe. Boston’s penalty killers and Swayman survived the five-on-three and ensuing truncated power play.
The Bruins’ forecheck and play below the goal line were noticeable in the opening 20 minutes. The best chance came off a Fraser Minten backhand attempt, but Darcy Kuemper denied the forward and stopped all nine of Boston’s shots on goal. The first period came and went with neither team lighting the lamp.
Second Period
The middle frame was the Jeremy Swayman Show. Boston’s goaltender was busy and effective throughout the period, as the Kings carried play for the majority of the session.
After Sean Kuraly was called for his second penalty of the night and given a ten-minute misconduct, chaos ensued. Kevin Fiala drilled the iron but not the strings on the power play. The rebound bounced off Swayman’s back, and then Mark Kastelic, Lindholm, and Boston’s netminder combined to keep the puck from crossing the line.
The Bruins hit the iron twice that period, including a blast from David Pastrnak off the rush late in the session. While neither team scored during the middle 20 minutes, the period did not lack action.
Third Period
Early in the final frame, Zadorov might have saved a goal by batting an aerial puck near the cage out of harm’s way. Alex Steeves’ trip infraction sent Boston short handed again four minutes into the period. Swayman and the Bruins’ penalty killers remained firm and kept the game scoreless.
Morgan Geekie broke the tie with an absolute blast near the middle of the period. His 15th goal of the season. Boston took their fifth penalty of the night, but again Swayman and the Bruins’ killers stymied the Kings’ power play.
Past the halfway point, Boston was awarded a power play. But the Bruins gave up a two-on-one after a Matej Blumel turnover. Swayman made the initial save on Trevor Moore, but Joel Armia backhanded the rebound into a wide-open cage to tie the game at 1-1 with just under seven minutes left in the final frame. Neither team potted the game-winning goal in regulation, so overtime was needed to decide the winner.
Overtime
In the three-on-three session, Geekie ensured the Bruins left Los Angeles victorious. As soon as he cruised inside the right faceoff circle, he blasted home his second score of the game and his 16th of the campaign. His shot remains hard, heavy, and a problem for NHL goaltenders. Geekie is tied for the league lead in goals with Nathan MacKinnon.
Swayman and Boston’s penalty killers were outstanding. Los Angeles failed to score on any of their five power plays.
Boston will look to build on this victory when they visit San Jose on Sunday. The Bruins will wrap up the California portion of their road trip by traveling north to take on the Sharks.
The Bruins will play two more road games on this trip before returning to Boston to take on the New York Rangers on Black Friday. If you want to see the Bruins in person at TD Garden or during Boston’s road trip, consider using this official StubHub Ticket-affiliated link here for the most competitive concert and sporting event tickets in the North American region.
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