Bruins dominate Lightning, push point streak to 15 games
The Bruins and Lightning made history on Thursday night: Their TD Garden showdown was actually the first game in NHL history in which two teams squared off while each owning simultaneous point streaks of 14 or more contests.
But the Bruins, who straight-up dominated the fatigued Lightning for prolonged stretches in this meeting, made sure they were on the right side of history in a 4-1 final at TD Garden.
With the Lightning in town for their third game in four nights, the Bruins absolutely pounced on them early, with 17 first-period shots compared to just four from the Bolts, but had nothing to show for it. It was not for a lack of trying, though, as the B’s had tons of good looks in the opening frame, and none better than David Backes staring at an open net.
That chance was sealed off by the Lightning’s Ryan McDonagh just in time, leaving the B’s and Bolts deadlocked at 0-0.
Knowing that the first period is often when these weary teams are most vulnerable, it was easy to feel as if the Bruins were venturing into dangerous territory, especially against a team with as much firepower as the league-best Lightning.
A second-period power-play opportunity finally came with something tangible for the Bruins, though, as Jake DeBrusk’s shot went off Anton Stralman’s stick and through Louis Domingue for the first Boston goal of the night.
It was enough for a 1-0 Boston edge through 40 minutes, and with the Bruins holding a 32-9 advantage in shots.
And while the Lightning were doing their part to simply hang around and keep this game close, the third period saw the floodgates open for the Bruins, much to the dismay of Domingue and his then-intact stick.
Noel Acciari made it 2-0 in favor of the Black and Gold at the 11:47 mark of the third. Patrice Bergeron added Boston’s third goal just 45 seconds after that, and then Brad Marchand was gifted a breakaway to make it 4-0 just 43 seconds later.
Brad Marchand scores on the breakaway.
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) March 1, 2019
Louis Domingue is NOT THRILLED.
4-1 Bruins. pic.twitter.com/7kU1yPBQad
Three goals in a 1:28 span, three goals on four shots, and enough to make Domingue go mental in his crease.
The Lightning added their lone goal of the night shortly after Marchand made it 4-0, but it didn’t matter, as Tuukka Rask finished with stops on 20-of-21 shots thrown his way for a B’s victory.
With the win, the Bruins pushed their point streak to 15 games, with an 11-0-4 record.
Boston is back at it Saturday night against the New Jersey Devils.
