The Bruins coming off a win in Colorado took on the Arizona Coyotes last night and continued right where they left off. The Bruins came out strong in a 5-3 with a lot of energy and showed a lot of good signs on the offensive end. The Bruins capitalized on their one strong suit of the season so far on the power play scoring 3 goals off of the man advantage. The Bruins power play is operating at 38.9% and is second in the league. If they can keep up with the dominance on the power play they may have a chance to improve upon a 2-3 record and currently sitting in 6th place in the Atlantic Division.
The Bruins came out in the first period playing good hockey however the Coyotes got the advantage scoring a goal in the first. The Bruins had a turnover in their own zone that lead to a shot on net that Tuukka handled through traffic but the rebound jumped out of the crease and a crowed area in front of the net lead to jamming of the puck and Rask not begin able to save the puck that lead to the goal. Claude Juilen was not happy with the call and elected to use his coaches challenge but it proved no help as the refs and HQ decided their was no clear evidence of goaltender interference. I completely disagree with them, as Tuukka was blatantly held down and had no opportunity to save the puck. However the goal stood and the Coyotes took a 1-0 lead into the second period.
The second period started and despite the Bruins playing well in the first they were still trailing by a goal. The Bruins did not need momentum or an advantage as a team, however Kevan Miller went at it coming in defense of Jimmy Hayes who was roughed by Ekman-Larsson, and Vitale was Miller counterpart. After the penalties were sorted out the Bruins went up on the man advantage. Despite having a good power play this season, this time the Bruins could not capitalize on good opportunities. The fight fired up an minors veteran Tyler Randall who finally is getting a shot at the big time and is taking advantage of it scoring another goal last night, his second goal in his second NHL game. He was set up by a nice play from David Krejci who is tied for the league lead in points in this young season. He followed up an assist with a goal later in the period giving the Bruins a 2-1 lead heading into the third.
Brad Marchand made it a 3-1 game early in the third and the Bruins were looking forward to next game when the Coyotes fought back and tied the game up at 3-3. Even though the Bruins had played well up until that point in the third the facts were that they needed more than moral victories and a point. The Bruins fought back scoring twice on the power play, lead by two Patrice Bergeron power play goals.
The Bruins ended up winning 5-3 and took a needed two points and to take the momentum back home against the Flyers Wednesday night at home. The Bruins however cannot keep winning the way that they are winning. It is great that they are capitalizing on their opportunities however they are begin handed to them and not creating anything for themselves. They cannot rely on power play chances the whole season. It is great when you have a good power play and can score on it when the chance comes however you need to win games in the neutral zone 5 on 5. The Bruins are taking a 2-3 record back home and continue to improve upon a 0-3 start. I wish them the best of luck as we continue to see good signs of the team moving forward.
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