Boston swept the four-game season series with Detroit for the first time since 2008-2009 and improved to 14-1-1 in their last 16 games against the Red Wings who are destined for another spring without the playoffs in the place formerly known as "Hockey Town." Besides the extra hockey that they've been kindly giving their fans during this homestand, the B's are also rewarding those that are in their seats before the first puck drop. This evening, they scored two goals in the first 52 seconds and by the time the Firewagon Hockey first period was over, there were already five total goals on the scoreboard.
Torey Krug had a memorable performance as well, setting a new career-high with four points (2 goals, 2 assists) so he began the barrage of pucks into the net only 37 seconds into regulation. His blast from the point-his 12th goal of the season-was assisted by Nick Holden (3 assists in 3 games as a Bruin) and Marchand. Poor Jared Coreau was making his first start of the season for Detroit and it wasn't a long one since he got pulled early in the second period after allowing four goals on 16 shots. Before you could say "Where are You Chris Osgood?", the Bruins had made it 2-0. Jake DeBrusk's attempted centering pass deflected in off a Red Wings defenseman for an unassisted goal (his 14th of the season) which gave him a four-game point streak.
I will give Detroit credit for one thing: they might be mediocre at best and headed nowhere but the NHL Draft this summer but they play harder than you would think (or at least that was the case tonight). Bruins killer Frans Nielsen hopped on a loose puck for a power play goal (his 14th of the season) at 2:16 of the first period from Henrik Zetterberg who I believe has been a Red Wing for 40 years. Anton Khudobin (30 saves, 15-4-4) wasn't even that bad but without McAvoy and by taking too many penalties, Boston's defense was a mess. Mike Green tied it up with another shot from close range (his 7th goal of the season) at 7:53 thanks to a nifty drop pass by Anthony Athanasiou with the other assist going to Anthony Mantha (2 goals, 2 assists). Boston answered with its first of two power play goals: Krug from Marchand and David Pastrnak (3 assists-a career-high, including the 100th of his career) at 13:48.
If you thought that things might perhaps slow down a bit in the second period, well you'd be wrong my friend. Marchand's power play goal at 3:27 chased Coreau for Maine alum Jimmy Howard (19 saves, 2 goals allowed). Krug and Pastrnak had the assists on a beautiful play that ended with a wicked one-timer from Marchand. Those three guys had a spectacular game together, it felt like they were in on every scoring play for the B's (which basically they were). The Red Wings could have easily rolled over at this point but Mantha cut it to a one-goal lead for the home team when he gathered a rebound and put in a backhander at 12:05 after Green's blast was deflected. Seconds earlier, Detroit's power play had expired. Tyler Bertuzzi had the second assist on Mantha's team-leading 22nd goal of the season. 1:13 after that, Marchand comically banked the puck off of Howard's leg right after he had missed the net with another shot. Pastrnak and Riley Nash had the helpers on the tally that gave Boston a 5-3 advantage. Mantha produced another goal after the Bruins' defense was nowhere to be seen at 15:50. Justin Abdelkader and Dylan Larkin had the assists as Boston only led 5-4 after two bonkers periods.
Boston blew its second two-goal lead when Detroit struck right after a power play went by the wayside yet again. Martin Frk who has one of the most interesting last names in the universe tied it at 9:46 on his 11th goal of the season from Bertuzzi and Mantha. As recently as the start of last week, the B's were a woeful 2-6 in overtime. Now, 5-6 doesn't look too bad does it? On the other end of the spectrum, the Wings fell to 3-10 (!) in OT including two losses to these Bruins. Unlike the individual masterclass put on by Marchand to beat Montreal (25-30-11) on Saturday night, this overtime goal was much simpler as Riley Nash drove to the net and dished to Krug. His initial shot was stopped but Howard left a juicy rebound on a platter for Marchand who waited for a beat then finished things off with a top-shelf backhander.
The Bruins can't afford this many mistakes on Thursday (7, NESN) when the Flyers (34-21-11) come for a visit. Unlike the Canadiens or Red Wings, Philadelphia is actually a legit playoff team this season and as such, they need to be respected (6-2-2 in their last 10 games). Unfortunately for the Flyguys, they have to host the Penguins (38-25-4) in their usual blood war on Wednesday (Rivalry Night bitches!) before taking the short trip up the East Coast to Boston (plus they will have to fly through the snow storm). Assuming that we all survive another New England weather spectacular, that should be an entertaining tilt. Haha the B's haven't faced the Flyers since Super Bowl 52 so maybe they can exact some revenge on a Philly team for their football brothers (Patriots). Too soon?
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