Bruins Blow Another Two-Goal Lead in the Third But This Time They Win in OT Thanks to Bergeron

What is it about Patrice Bergeron that makes him elevate his already stellar game to another level when it matters the most? The Bruins (30-17-8) legend was playing in his 1002 career NHL game but before this afternoon's contest vs. LA (23-27-5), he was honored for his 1000th game held earlier this week. Wouldn't you know that he scored the game-winning goal in OT as the B's outlasted the Kings 5-4 in a wild affair that included another two-goal lead in the third for Boston that disappeared. Boston improved to 5-6 in overtime this season while LA dropped to 5-4 in the extra session. It was the first Bruins overtime win vs. Kings since March 22, 2003 (Glen Murray) and the first on home ice since November 2, 1989 (Bob Sweeney).

It was the fourth time in their last six games that Boston had gone to overtime and oddly enough it extended their point-streak to six (3-0-3). Tuukka Rask (25 saves, 17-8-4) didn't have his best performance of the season but nevertheless he has now earned points in 11 straight contests (9-0-2). After a sleepy scoreless first period, you probably didn't expect this explosion of goals but it was still appreciated since Boston has struggled so much to score lately. More importantly, they got the two points against a team that they should beat. The result at least temporarily pulled them into a tie with Montreal (31-18-6) who hosts Toronto (33-17-3) later this evening in a key Atlantic Division matchup.

David Pastrnak was moved to the second line (to hopefully spread around the scoring a little more) and Danton Heinen (goal, assist) got the gift of his life being elevated to the top line with Bergeron (2 assists) and Brad Marchand (goal, assist). Charlie McAvoy opened the scoring at 4:38 of the second period after a slick no-look pass from Bergy went right to his tape for an easy tap-in. Heinen had the other helper on McAvoy's second goal of the season (the other was on Oct. 13!). LA came in with the worst record in the Western Conference which was a little misleading since they were only five points out of the second Wild Card spot. They are sure to make some moves before the trade deadline but unlike a team like the Ducks (21-26-9), at least they haven't completely given up. Something called Alex Iafallo tied it with a power-play goal at 8:13, Alex Martinez and Adrian Kempe had the assists on his 11th goal of the season. The Kings took their only lead of the day soon after that as Anze Kopiter (aka Euro Bergy) slammed in a one-timer at 14:02. Dustin Brown and Dion Phaneuf-other parts of LA's old guard-had the assists on Kopitar's 17th goal of the season.

Boston had been 1-14-2 this season when they trailed after two periods while Los Angeles was 16-1-1 when they led after two so clearly a comeback was in order for the home team. The B's surged ahead with a trio of goals early in the third just 3:22 apart: Heinen put in a rebound (8th goal of the season), David Krejci scored (his 12th goal of the season) after Torey Krug (2 assists) hit the post and Marchand (20th goal of the season) scored his 24th career shorthanded goal (1 behind Rick Middleton for the franchise record). McAvoy and Marchand assisted on Heinen's tally, Krug and Pasta (7-game point streak) had the helpers on Krejci's goal and Bergy worked a beautiful 2-on-1 with Marchy.

Up 4-2 in the third and with Rask on a roll, you figured that this one was over but then again, this is the same club that lost 4-3 in a shootout against the middling Rangers (23-23-8) on Wednesday at MSG after leading 3-1 midway through the third. Former Bruins draft pick Nate Thompson cut it to 4-3 with a one-timer at 9:19, his fourth goal of the season was assisted by Brendan Leipsic (born in Braintree, MA). That was nothing as a scrub called Oscar Fantenberg picked a great time to score his first goal of the season with a one-timer at 15:13 from Drew Doughty (who played a game-high 28:40!) and Tyler Toffoli (who is rumored to be on the trade block).

That all just set the stage for more heroics by Bergeron. He reached 20 goals for the 10th time in his brilliant career as he ripped a shot by UMass' Jonathan Quick (28 saves, 11-13-4) at 2:34 of overtime. Krug had the lone assist on Bergeron's wide-open chance that went low blocker side past Quick into the corner of the net. This was the beginning of a quirky back-to-back set for the B's who host the Avalanche (22-22-10) right back here tomorrow afternoon (3, NESN). Colorado lost 4-3 in overtime at the Islanders (32-16-6) this afternoon and they are in complete free-fall mode (2-6-2 in their last 10 games) after such a bright start to their campaign. Jaroslav Halak (13-9-4) will start vs. Colorado and he could really use a win since he's 0-3-2 in his last five decisions. In fact, his last win was over a month ago (Jan. 3 vs. Calgary).

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