The Boston Bruins gave up two goals late in the third period, letting the Anaheim Ducks back into the game at TD Garden on Thursday night.
The Boston Bruins returned to TD Garden on Thursday night and let a win against the Anaheim Ducks slip through their fingers, giving up two goals late in the third period before falling in overtime 4-3.
The B’s fourth line had a different look, with both wingers Milan Lucic and Jakub Lauko out due to injury. In their absence, Jesper Boqvist and Patrick Brown slotted in, skating with center Johnny Beecher.
Brown has played the last three games in place of Lucic who’s working through a lower body injury, but Boqvist got his first game action in place of Lauko who suffered a fracture after catching a skate up high on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Radko Gudas opened scoring and put the Ducks up 1-0 at 15:00 of the first period. The veteran defenseman ripped it from the blueline, and the puck made its way through traffic in front and past Linus Ullmark who started his fourth game of the season.
Oct 26, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) scores a goal past Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY SportsThe Bruins had a scoreless opening frame, only getting six shots on goal through 20 minutes, but things began to click in the second period where they potted a cumulative three goals, starting with Charlie Coyle’s first of the 2023-24 campaign.
The power play finally converted after going 0-for-4 against the Blackhawks on Tuesday. Charlie McAvoy dropped the puck down to David Pastrnak by the left circle who sent it to net-front Coyle to knock it in, making it 1-1 at 1:41.
Matt Grzelcyk soon pulled the B’s ahead with his first goal of the season while the teams skated 4-on-4. McAvoy passed it to his D-partner stationed near the right circle and Grzelcyk slapped the puck to the back of the net, trickling past Anaheim goaltender John Gibson.
Pastrnak closed out the period with an extra-effort play to make it 3-1. McAvoy started the rush up ice, dishing it to Pastrnak on the left side who’s snapshot was initially saved by Gibson, but the first line regular followed his shot, crashed the net and cashed in on the rebound for his sixth goal of the season.
Oct 26, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Strome (16) reacts after a goal by defenseman Radko Gudas (7) during the first period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY SportsThe Bruins protected their two-goal lead up until the two minute mark in the third period when things unraveled due to lapses in coverage and inability to clear the puck while facing Anaheim pressure. Leo Carlsson got the Ducks within one at 18:05, followed by a Troy Terry tally at 19:45 that tied things up 3-3 and forced overtime.
Anaheim sealed the win with a Carlsson and Mason McTavish 2-on-1 where McTavish wristed the puck home, completing the comeback at 2:08 of the extra hockey. The Bruins were minutes away from improving to a 7-0-0 record, but let up on their details and got a bit too comfortable, letting the Ducks back into the competition late.
Boston will next face the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday at TD Garden with a 7p.m. puck drop after suffering their first lost of the young season.