The B's certainly have enjoyed not deciding things in regulation lately. Boston (16-6-2 overall, 10-3-2 home) went to overtime for the third game in a row at TD Garden and for the second consecutive game they skated off as winners as Torey Krug beat Marc-Andre Fleury 34 seconds into the extra session. The last couple minutes could best be described as bonkers since Pittsburgh (15-9-1 overall, 5-6-1 road) tied it with 0.3 seconds left on Sidney Crosby's (who else?) goal.
In past years, the Bruins would have never recovered from such a painful choke in regulation but this is a new team (we think). Tuukka Rask (28 saves) kept them in it when they were outshot 10-5 in the first period and 11-8 in the second period. Boston actually grabbed a 2-0 lead as Loui Eriksson scored on a breakaway and backhander at 12:27 of the first period and Reilly Smith added a power play goal a little over three minutes later. Eriksson's goal-his fifth of the season-was assisted by Carl Soderberg. Smith's fifth goal of the season was assisted by Soderberg and Eriksson, a beautiful passing sequence by three guys with serious chemistry.
James Neal came to play as he cut it to 2-1 37 seconds into the second period following a turnover by Boston in their own end. Similar to Smith's goal, he was alone in front and Jussi Jokinen found him. Rask had no chance to stop it. Once again, Neal was the culprit who tied it at 11:09 of the third period on a rocket of a one-timer from Jokinen. The puck handcuffed Johnny Boychuk and the Penguins were all too happy to take advantage.
Zdeno Chara didn't want to go to overtime as he put the B's back ahead 3-2 at 14:45. His shot from the point was tipped mistakenly by Crosby with Milan Lucic screening Fleury in front. You had the feeling something bad would happen to Boston in the final minute when they couldn't clear the puck out with Pittsburgh having the extra skater on the ice. It's not like Crosby will miss from a few feet away from the cage either.
The Bruins are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games, they will next play in Detroit on Wednesday (7:30, NESN). Where else would they prefer to spend Thanksgiving Eve? Boston gets rewarded (I guess?) with a back-to-back at the Garden: Friday afternoon vs. Rangers and Saturday night vs. Blue Jackets.
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