BOSTON (AP) — The Anaheim Ducks edged past the Boston Bruins with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory at TD Garden on Saturday night, bolstering their winning streak to four games. With just 1:21 left on the clock, Leo Carlsson netted the decisive goal, capping off the Ducks' impressive performance.
Trevor Zegras and Frank Vatrano had previously put the Ducks on the scoreboard, giving them a 2-0 lead after the first period. This was particularly poignant considering the Ducks aimed to secure their position before the upcoming trade deadline on March 7.
But as many fans know, momentum can shift swiftly in hockey. The Bruins, finding themselves behind once more, began to fight back. Elias Lindholm broke through with a power-play goal during a five-on-three opportunity, finally putting the Bruins on the board. This was prompted by two consecutive tripping penalties drawn by David Pastrnak.
With tensions burgeoning among the players and fans, the Bruins appeared to tie the game late, but the on-ice official initially ruled the goal off due to goalie interference against Lindholm. Following some deliberation, the Bruins successfully challenged this decision, leading to equal vigor and excitement among both teams.
With the score now tied at 2-2, Morgan Geekie seized the moment, scoring the equalizer with just over a minute remaining in regulation. The TD Garden erupted, but moments later, the Ducks secured their victory with Carlsson's overtime goal, sending the fans home disappointed.
"It’s become a scenario far too familiar for the 2024-25 Bruins, and this time, the Black and Gold were unable to overcome the adversity," reported The Boston Globe, reflecting the current struggles of the team.
Despite the loss, the game was not without its highlights for the Bruins. David Pastrnak extended his point streak to 14 games, earning points through assists, and setting the stage for potential records. This marked the longest streak of his career and the longest for any Bruin since Phil Kessel's 18-game streak back in the 2008-09 season. Pastrnak has amassed 27 points during this span, including 11 goals and 16 assists.
On the Ducks' side, the game was bittersweet. Their goaltender John Gibson, who has been central to their success this season, played superbly, turning away 19 shots. Unfortunately, he exited the game after two periods with what the team reported as an unspecified upper-body injury. Ducks fans were left holding their breath until more information is released about Gibson's status.
The Ducks, now sitting at 24-24-6, are tantalizingly close to playoff contention, managing to win seven of their last eight games. "The Ducks didn’t let the two-week break cool them off, winning for the seventh time in their last eight games to climb above .500 for the first time in four months," noted AP News. Meanwhile, the Bruins face tough competition with their record now at 27-24-7, having lost three straight games and five of their last seven. Charlie McAvoy remained sidelined due to injury as well, only adding to their woes.
Boston will look to regain their footing when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Ducks will travel to Detroit, hoping to maintain their positive momentum. The clock is ticking as both teams navigate the challenges of their seasons, and every game is now more significant than ever as they chase the elusive playoff spot.