Charlie McAvoy scores winner in 3-2 overtime win over Blues
The Bruins needed just one shot in the three-on-three overtime to leave St. Louis with two points in hand, as Charlie McAvoy ripped the game-winning goal through Ville Husso at the 48-second mark of the fourth frame to push the Bruins to a 3-2 win over the Blues at the Enterprise Center on Tuesday night.
Down by one through 20 minutes of play behind a Pavel Buchnevich power-play marker potted through Jeremy Swayman 11:49 into the opening period, the Bruins responded with second-period tallies from Jake DeBrusk and Taylor Hall, and looked to be in control of a white-hot Blues team that entered play with nine straight wins.
But the Bruins’ worst habit continued late in the middle frame, as the Bruins surrendered the game-tying goal with just 2.4 seconds left in the period, and on a Robert Thomas tip without a lick of resistance from Matt Grzelcyk and Brandon Carlo.
According to Elias Sports, that goal marked the 18th time that the Bruins had allowed a goal in the final minute of a period this season, which is (as you would expect) tops among all NHL clubs in 2021-22.
And when a tight-checking third period solved nothing, the sides went to overtime, where the Blues didn’t even touch the puck before McAvoy hammered home the game-winning marker for his ninth goal of the season.
The Bruins’ Swayman finished with a 20-of-22 line in net for his second straight win and 22nd of the campaign, while DeBrusk paced the Black and Gold with a goal and an assist in the victory.
Boston’s win, coupled with a Tampa Bay loss to the Red Wings on Tuesday night, has put the Bruins just one point behind the Lightning for third place in the Atlantic.
The Bruins will wrap up this quick two-game road swing with a Thursday night contest in Pittsburgh.
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Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. He has been covering the Bruins since 2010, and has been a member of the Boston chapter of the PHWA since 2013. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
