The Anaheim Ducks faced off against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night at TD Garden, where Leo Carlsson scored with just 1:21 remaining in overtime to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory, extending the Ducks' winning streak to four games.
With this win, the Ducks have pulled themselves above the .500 mark for the first time in four months, showing off their impressive mentality after hitting the break with six wins from their last seven games.
The Ducks jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, courtesy of goals from Trevor Zegras and Frank Vatrano. Fans were likely buzzing with excitement, reveling in the team’s recent success and hoping it would carry on. But the Bruins, who had struggled with their form recently, weren’t about to back down. The game took a pivotal turn when Elias Lindholm scored on a five-on-three power play after Boston's David Pastrnak drew two back-to-back tripping penalties.
Despite the Bruins' efforts to catch up, the drama escalated when Morgan Geekie tied the game at 2-2 with just 1:11 left on the clock, executing a powerful slap shot from the left circle, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats.
An initial official review ruled out Lindholm's potential game-tying score due to interference with the goalie, which stirred frustration among the home crowd, leading to some fans throwing debris onto the ice. An urgent plea from the public address announcer asked for calm. But following the Bruins’ successful challenge to the call, the game pushed to overtime.
Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman stood tall, making 26 saves throughout the match, but faltered on Carlsson’s decisive goal, sealing the Ducks' victory. Despite this hard-earned win, the Ducks will need to monitor the health of their star goalie, John Gibson, who exited the game after the second period with an unspecified upper-body injury.
"Gibson's status will undoubtedly become pivotal as the Ducks approach the March 7 trade deadline," stated analysts as speculations about Gibson's future intensified last week. Strong performances would likely stir trade talks, particularly if teams deem him as healthy.
On the contrary, the Bruins have encountered difficulties of their own, losing three consecutive matches and five of their last seven. Their defensive lineup took another hit with the absence of star defender Charlie McAvoy, who suffered both an AC joint injury and subsequent infection, requiring hospitalization. Bruins coach Joe Sacco stated early on, "We just want to wish him the best moving forward here in his recovery," emphasizing the team's concerns for McAvoy's health over on-ice performance.
The injury situation for the Bruins has necessitated adjustments, as former Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm is also out after suffering a broken leg earlier this season. This has left Boston scrambling to find their footing in the standings, as they sit at sixth place within the Atlantic Division.
"We are not in position to look past next game, the way we are in the standings," Bruins winger David Pastrnak expressed, emphasizing their need to secure points game by game. The pressure mounts as they head toward their next matchup against Toronto.
With the Ducks set to visit Detroit and the Bruins gearing up to face Toronto, both teams are faced with contrasting trajectories. The Ducks are gearing up to continue their streak and fight for postseason positions, needing to adapt quickly to any injuries and keep pushing through with their momentum. For the Bruins, the need for urgent victories is palpable, as they search for any semblance of consistency with their lineup depleted by injury.
Therefore, the rivalry between the Ducks and Bruins not only symbolizes competitive spirit but encapsulates the essence of this hockey season, filled with both tribulations and triumphs as each team looks to redefine their narratives going forward.