The Marchand – Elias Lindholm – Coyle line got to work in the third.
The Boston Bruins broke through in the third period despite some adversity with a surge of goals from its top players as the team found finish in its plays to top the Washington Capitals, 4-1, at the TD Garden on Monday.
Brad Marchand registered three points in the win to extend his point streak to 10 games while Elias Lindholm’s ultimate game-winner was his third goal in the last four games.
Justin Brazeau got the Bruins on the board in the first period with a power-play goal as he created traffic out front and backhanded a rebound. Jakub Vrana would add a power-play goal for his team in the second period. But other than the 1-1 score after 40 minutes, it was a rather uneventful game with low shots from both sides.
That changed in the third period.
The Bruins found themselves without David Pastrnak who left the game with an upper-body injury and killing off a five-minute major on Oliver Wahlstrom for boarding. Wahlstrom was also assessed a game misconduct.
“There was some adversity that we faced there,” Interim head coach Joe Sacco said. “Certainly says a lot about the team tonight in their effort and in their determination.”
After successfully killing off the penalty, Elias Lindholm gave the Bruins the go-ahead tally off a feed from Brad Marchand.
Charlie Coyle would add the Bruins’ third backhanded goal with Marchand picking up another assist on the night. Marchand then walked into the offensive zone for an empty-net goal after forcing a defensive-zone turnover to make the final score, 4-1 Bruins.
In a tight checking game, the Bruins held the Capitals to 11 shots on net in an overall tight checking game.
“We didn’t force anything,” Marchand said. “We were really detailed defensively and then obviously capitalized on a couple of turnovers and really good defensive plays…That’s a very good team and we didn’t give them a whole lot.”
Here are the highlights!
First period:
Positioned at the top of the paint, Justin Brazeau backhanded the rebound from Morgan Geekie’s long shot past Charlie Lindgren at 19:12 of the first period on the power play. 1-0 Bruins.
Second period:
Rasmus Sandin found Jakub Vrana inside the right-wing circle for a one-timer top shelf past Jeremy Swayman’s glove at 4:50 of the second period on the power play. 1-1 game.
Third period:
On a 2-on-1, Lindgren over commits when he sees Elias Lindholm receive Marchand’s pass. With the wide-open net with Lindgren on the ice, Lindholm lifts a backhander into the netting at 13:41 of the third period from the top of the paint. 2-1 Bruins.
On a 3-on-1, Charlie Coyle sends a pass to Brad Marchand crashing the net. Marchand makes the initial shot, but Coyle follows up and picks up the rebound to send a backhander past Lindgren at 15:59 of the third period. 3-1 Bruins.
Marchand sprung loose from the defensive zone to skate in alone for an empty netter at 18:38 of the third period. Final score: 4-1 Bruins.
Game notes
- While most of the game was uneventful, the Bruins have started to close out games better and that showed tonight. From not being able to produce in the third period, the Bruins are finishing shots and rebound chances and limiting their opponents’ opportunities by keeping them to the outside.
- The Marchand, Coyle and E. Lindholm line was obviously the most effective line for the Bruins tonight, accounting for the three, third-period goals. Sacco said the line is impactful because it’s balanced. It’s also nice to see the production beginning to add up for E. Lindholm who has had a really impactful stretch as of late.
- Marchand had a three-point third period. He now has 15 goals and 15 assists and arguably has been the most consistent Bruin.
- The power play struck again! Sacco talked postgame about how the second unit only has about 30 seconds out there and has to play with urgency to make something happen. He said the unit has found success by simplifying things, getting pucks to the top of the crease and keeping traffic out front.
- Charlie McAvoy led TOI with 24:18. Marchand’s TOI was 21:01.
- Sacco did not have an update on Pastrnak’s status after the game.
- The Bruins are off now until Friday when they head to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets at 7 p.m. for the first in back-to-back games against them. Then its right back to Boston on Saturday to see them again.