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Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Bruins blow late lead, lose to Ducks in overtime

By Matt Dolloff
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 Sports

The Boston Bruins blew a late lead then gave up the game-winning goal in overtime, dropping a 4-3 final to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night at TD Garden.

The Bruins held a 3-1 lead into the final two minutes of regulation, but the Ducks pecked their way back into it with two goals in a span of 1:41 to tie the game back up 3-3. Mason McTavish fired the game-winner past Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark during the 3-on-3 overtime period.

With the loss, the Bruins are now 6-0-1, just missing out on setting a new franchise record for consecutive wins to start a season. They won their first six games in a row, tying the mark set by the 1937-38 team.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 26: Linus Ullmark #35 of the Boston Bruins makes a save against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at the TD Garden on October 26, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 26: Linus Ullmark #35 of the Boston Bruins makes a save against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at the TD Garden on October 26, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)

Both teams looked sluggish to start the game, after they’d played each other in California on Sunday then each played in the central time zone on Tuesday. But near the end of the first period, the Ducks were the first team to find the back of the net.

It came off the stick of defenseman Radko Gudas, who fired a shot toward the net in the hopes of getting a bounce. And he got one, off the skate of Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm to make it 1-0 Ducks.

  • The Ducks out-shot the Bruins 9-6 through one period, with a 2-0 advantage in 5-on-5 high-danger scoring chances. But the B’s came to life in the second period, seemingly sparked by an early power play.

    Cashing in on a crosschecking penalty committed against rookie Matt Poitras, the Bruins’ Charlie Coyle tipped the puck home to tie the game 1-1. Coyle redirected what appeared to be a misfire by David Pastrnak that happened to go in his direction.

  • About a minute after Coyle scored, he went to the penalty box for matching crosschecking penalties with former Bruin Frank Vatrano, which sent the game to 4-on-4 action.

    Just 18 seconds into 4-on-4, Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk scored on a one-timer from the faceoff dot to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead. The B’s ended up scoring their first two goals just 1:20 apart.

  • Later in the period, the Bruins struck for the third time, off the stick of Pastrnak. This time, Pastrnak was able to grab his own rebound after a shot attempt, and he had an open net around Ducks goalie John Gibson for an easy flip-in.

    Believe it or not, the six goals in seven games is only Pastrnak’s third-best start to a season. He scored eight goals in his first even games to begin both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.

  • The Ducks were able to get on the board again with 1:55 left in regulation, as Leo Carlsson potted a goal with Gibson pulled to pull within one. Troy Terry grabbed the tying goal on a deflection, setting the stage for overtime and the Ducks’ furious comeback – or the Bruins’ epic collapse, depending on your perspective.

    (Click here to subscribe to the Sports Hub Underground podcast.)

    Up Next: The Bruins will finally face Eastern Conference teams for the first time this season to play out the current homestand, and with that comes their biggest tests to date. On Saturday night they get the surprising Detroit Red Wings, then next Monday and Thursday they face the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs, respectively.

    Click here for complete Boston Bruins coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

    Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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