The Pittsburgh Penguins snapped the Boston Bruins’ four-game winning streak with a 6-5 victory at TD Garden on Thursday night. The game featured 11 goals, three lead changes, and a late comeback attempt by the Bruins that fell short.
Crosby leads the way for Penguins
Sidney Crosby, the captain and star of the Penguins, had a dominant performance with a goal and two assists. He scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, beating Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark with a wrist shot from the left circle. He also set up goals for Jake Guentzel and Evan Rodrigues with his vision and passing skills.
Crosby has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in seven games since returning from wrist surgery. He has also scored in five straight games against the Bruins.
The bruins’ power play comes alive, but the defense struggles
The Bruins had been struggling with their power play lately, scoring only three goals in their previous 25 opportunities. However, they found their groove against the Penguins, scoring four goals on six chances. David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and Charlie McAvoy all scored with the man advantage, showing off their chemistry and skill.
However, the Bruins’ defense had a rough night, allowing six goals on 33 shots. Ullmark, who had been stellar in his previous four starts, gave up some soft goals and was outplayed by Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry, who made 36 saves. The Bruins also had some costly turnovers and defensive breakdowns, leading to easy chances for the Penguins.
Penguins survive late surge by Bruins
The Penguins looked like they had the game in the bag when they took a 6-3 lead with 8:31 left in the third period, thanks to a goal by Kasperi Kapanen. However, the Bruins did not give up and scored two quick goals to make it 6-5. McAvoy scored on a slap shot from the point, and Marchand scored on a rebound after a shot by Pastrnak.
The Bruins had several chances to tie the game in the final minutes, but Jarry stood tall and denied them. He made a huge save on Pastrnak, who had a breakaway with 1:15 left. He also stopped a shot by Bergeron in the dying seconds, as the Penguins held on for the win.
What’s next for both teams?
With the win, the Penguins improved to 19-8-5, moving into second place in the Metropolitan Division. They have won four of their last five games and are one of the hottest teams in the league. They will face the San Jose Sharks on Saturday in the second game of their four-game road trip.
The Bruins fell to 15-10-2 with the loss, dropping to fourth place in the Atlantic Division. They have lost two of their last three games and are still trying to find consistency in their game. They will host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday in a rematch of the 2020 Eastern Conference Final.
