Bruins Live Blog: Daniel Paille Scores Game-Winning Goal In OT, Ties Series 1-1
Overtime, 6:12, 2-1: Daniel Paille, in overtime, goal.
The man whose hard work created the first goal was able to bury the hard-earned game-winner. A wrister from the top of the left faceoff circle simply beat Crawford. Seguin gets credit for a great assist through the middle of the ice.
The Bruins deserved that victory. Their hard work in overtime was immense.
Overtime, 9:01, 1-1: Veteran move by Dennis Seidenberg, who iced the puck to get a rest, knowing the ice crew was set to come out after the 10-minute mark. Well, at least I assume Seidenberg knew the situation.
Shots are tied 5-5 in overtime, though two of the Bruins' best chances didn't even register as shots. When play continues, there will be a defensive zone draw for Boston.
Overtime, 12:00, 1-1: The delay of game penalty nearly strikes again. Leddy lifted a puck over the glass, and though Paille was close to the puck, it was ruled to have gone out of play without being touched. However after the officials huddled, they decided the puck had been deflected off Paille's stick. They more likely didn't want the game decided by a delay of game call.
Overtime, 12:18, 1-1: Outrageous pace to the overtime, with Bergeron firing a heavy slap shot on net, which was saved by Crawford, and Lucic lofting a backhand over the net.
Overtime, 14:10, 1-1: The Bruins are controlling play in overtime. Seguin just fed Kelly in front for a point-blank one-time shot, but Crawford was up to the task. Krug also displayed some of that ridiculous foot control to keep the puck in the zone a couple of times.
Overtime, 18:32, 1-1: Jaromir Jagr hasn't scored this postseason, and it's starting to seem like he really is cursed. His hard wrister from the right circle hits the post square and bounces out of play. He beat Crawford clean, but the post was there to deny the bid.
Overtime, 20:00, 1-1: Overtime has begun in Chicago. I'll do my best providing updates here, but you know how fast and furious overtime can be.
End of third period, 1-1: And ... overtime.
The final few minutes were played at a frenetic pace, with the Bruins generating several decent opportunities but the Blackhawks doing a good job of packing it in and blocking shots. Crawford also came through with a big save when Bergeron won a draw back to Ference, who quickly tapped back to Boychuk for a one-timer. Jagr also had a backhand opportunity on a rebound, but it was deflected out of play and out of harm's way.
And so, we head to the fourth overtime period of this series, which is just two games old. These two teams are a pretty even matchup, wouldn't you say?
Third period, 4:29, 1-1: It's not officially sudden-death overtime, but it more or less is.
Credit to the players, because the physical toll Game 1 took on their bodies is evident late in the third period here. Guys are flat-out exhausted, but they're still out there willing to endure whatever pain it takes to get that game-winner.
One noticeable effect seen in this game has come from all the hits by Lucic. When he skates in on the forecheck now, Blackhawks D-men are starting to just get out of his way, unwilling to get bowled over another time. It hasn't yet led to a turnover or play that's created a goal, but it's stood out.
Third period, 10:33, 1-1: Jaromir Jagr was called out by Mike Milbury on the game broadcast for his "lazy" play in the first period, but the 41-year-old is doing it all in the third. He skated all the way back to the faceoff dots in the Boston end to help with a breakout earlier in the period, and he ended up muscling the puck through three bodies and setting up a great opportunity for Marchand on the ensuing rush. And he just hopped over the boards, carried the puck into the corner and sent a diagonal pass to Chara at the blue line. Crawford swallowed up Chara's wrist shot, but Jagr is standing out in the third.
Third period, 12:00, 1-1: I'm not quite sure why it took the Bruins two periods to wake up today, but this third period looks a lot more like we expected. The two teams have been, for the most part, even this period, with the B"s maybe holding a minor edge. That advantage doesn't mean much in a 1-1 game in the third period, but just like the other night, this game has taken on a next-goal-wins type of feel.
Third period, 17:40, 1-1: The Bruins let that power play opportunity slip, as they weren't even able to possess the puck in the Chicago zone at all. You have to think at this point, it'll take a mugging to draw a penalty, so it'll likely be 5-on-5 play that brings us the next goal, perhaps the game-winner.
Third period, 20:00, 1-1: Third period, B's on the power play, here we go.
End of second period, 1-1: A pair of Jagr shots are turned aside by Crawford, and Seguin sends a wild pass out to the neutral zone, and the period ends without a power-play goal for Boston.
For the second straight period, the Bruins must be feeling very lucky. They were outplayed up and down the ice but still managed to tie the game. It was hard to gauge any momentum, confidence or composure after the goal, because Seidenberg headed to the penalty box shortly after it. But they'll have a little over a minute on the power play to begin the third period, in what could be the most important minute of the game. A power-play goal there, and the pressure shifts to the Blackhawks in the third period. Who would have ever thought that to be possible a half-hour ago?
After getting outshot 19-to-4 in the first period, the Bruins (8) actually doubled up the Blackhawks' shots (4) in the second.
Second period, :50, 1-1: The refs missed a slashing call on Seabrook when Marchand broke in on a shorthanded breakaway, but they make up for it seconds later when Oduya swipes at Marchand's skates and trips him in the neutral zone. B's will have 50 seconds of power play time before the period ends.
Second period, 2:49, 1-1: Any Bruins momentum will have to wait, because Dennis Seidenberg wiped out Saad to break up a potential scoring opportunity. It came off a wide shot by Horton on a pretty good chance created by Krejci and Lucic.
Second period, 5:02, 1-1: And there's the goal that came from extra effort from -- who else? -- Daniel Paille. He dangled around Nick Leddy behind the Chicago net and put a little wraparound shot on net. Crawford made a stick save, and Kelly pounced on the rebound and chipped it past Crawford for the tying goal.
That was the good break the Bruins needed. We'll see if it changes anything.
Second period, 5:17, 1-0 Blackhawks: More of the same from Chicago. The one positive for the Bruins has been Milan Lucic, who has not been short on effort tonight, and it shows in his game-high nine hits.
As frustrating as this game has been for the Bruins, it has to be twice as maddening for Chicago. No doubt, the Blackhawks have thoroughly outplayed the Bruins thus far, but a 1-0 lead is hardly indicative of their play thus far. A bad bounce that goes against Chicago, and the game starts over again.
Second period, 9:35, 1-0 Blackhawks: The Bruins are able to kill the penalty, a small consolation as they struggle to keep up with the Blackhawks.
Second period, 11:44, 1-0 Blackhawks: Another opportunity for Chicago, as Patrick Sharp flailed his body while Johnny Boychuk had his arm over his shoulder. It probably would have been a penalty without the sell job, but Sharp wanted to make sure.
Second period, 12:36, 1-0 Blackhawks: The Chicago domination over the Bruins has subsided a bit, but the Blackhawks still lead in shots 21-to-6. Patrick Sharp has seven shots himself. The Bruins just look out of sorts. I'm not even sure a dirty/lucky/garbage goal in their favor would turn them around, because they look nothing like the team that rolled its way through the past two rounds of the postseason.
Second period, 16:30, 1-0 Blackhawks: The only chance the Bruins had in their two minutes came when Seguin went 1-on-4 and fired a shot on net from in close.
Second period, 18:41, 1-0 Blackhawks: The Bruins will get their first power play of the night, Bolland getting called for tripping Marchand. It looked more like Bolland shoved Marchand rather than trip him, but the body falling to the ice must have convinced the referee of a trip.
Second period, 20:00, 1-0 Blackhawks: The Bruins are 2-0 this postseason when trailing after the first period, so there's that. There's also the fact that the Blackhawks have gone 6-1 when leading after the first. History won't dictate the future, but that's what they've done to this point.
Second period, under way.
End of first period, 1-0 Blackhawks: Chicago heads to the first intermission with a 1-0 lead. Boston heads to the locker room lucky to have Tuukka Rask in net.
The B's netminder is the one and only reason this game isn't 4-0 right now. He's made 18 saves already, and his team has only managed to get four shots on net down the other end of the ice. (That fourth shot was hardly a "shot," as it was just Rich Peverley skating right at Crawford, who easily poke-checked the puck away.)
Aside from the aforementioned shift by the Bergeron line, the puck has spent nearly the full first 20 minutes in Boston's end, and the Bruins' 21-to-9 advantage in hits is indicative of which team has had the puck for the majority of the game.
But, like I said, thanks to Rask, it's only 1-0, which is a manageable game. Provided they wake up and recover from being shell-shocked in the first, they can climb back into the game. If they don't start playing playoff-caliber hockey, though, it's only a matter of time before that deficit doubles or triples.
First period, 3:57, 1-0 Blackhawks: The Bruins needed a shift to turn the momentum around, and the Bergeron line delivered. Bergeron, Jagr and Marchand won a couple of races to loose pucks and a few board battles to at least possess the puck in the offensive end and halt the Chicago onslaught, at least momentarily. In a game without many positives thus far for the Bruins, it was a necessary shift.
Still, they got nothing on net, and Bruins are still with just three shots on net through 16 minutes.
First period, 7:28, 1-0 Blackhawks: Another "terrible" turnover by Krug leads to a Marian Hossa rush. Though his shot was broken up by Nathan Horton, the ensuing play led to Tuukka Rask diving along the goal line and drawing a whistle. When he eventually got up, the puck was well over the line and into the net, but it wasn't clear at all when the puck crossed the line. So, after video review, no goal.
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks have 15 shots, and the Bruins have just three. That's a tough way to live.
First period, 8:38, 1-0 Blackhawks: The Blackhawks have an early lead.
Patrick Kane threw a backhand on net and whacked at a rebound. A wild scramble of flying bodies in the crease ensued, while the puck slid out to Patrick Sharp. He sent a shot that weaved its way seemingly through Kaspars Daugavins' body and into the net.
The Bruins may have wanted a goaltender interference call on the play, but with the chaos that was taking place in front of the net, there really wasn't anything Chicago did to warrant a penalty.
First period, 10:47, 0-0: The Blackhawks have a really good looking power play but are unable to score. Rask made two saves, but Duncan Keith had the biggest opportunity, when the puck bounced through the slot right toward him. He would have had an empty net to shoot at but he could not gather the puck on his stick.
After the kill, Crawford came up with a glove save with a mighty big flourish on a shot from the high slot by Jagr.
First period, 13:09, 0-0: The Blackhawks will get the first power play of the night, after Andrew Ference gets his stick into the skate of Bickell.
The Bruins' PK has killed off 18 straight, while the Chicago power play has scored on just one of its last 21 chances.
First period, 13:51, 0-0: Tuukka Rask makes the highlight reel early on, going to a split and extending to make a glove save on Leddy just before the first TV timeout of the night. Rask has five saves already.
First period, 14:51, 0-0: Not too much happening early on, and it kind of looks like the two teams are starting the series over again. It's obviously a different pace and style when you go into overtime and then double and triple OT, so the teams are getting back into regulation hockey here. Lots of shots from the perimeter and some imprecise passing is all we've seen thus far.
First period, 20:00: Patrice Bergeron wins the opening faceoff against Jonathan Toews, and Game 2 is under way. How many periods will they play tonight?
8:14 p.m.: Here are your starters tonight:
Chicago
Brandon Saad-Jonathan Toews-Marian Hossa
Duncan Keith-Brent Seabrook
Corey Crawford
Boston
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Jaromir Jagr
Andrew Ference-Johnny Boychuk
Tuukka Rask
8:03 p.m.: As far as keys go, I don't think this one's too complicated. These teams are both so good that it will ultimately come down to effort, with a little bit of luck. If either Rask or Crawford has an off night in net, it'll obviously throw a wrinkle into the plans, but that's not something you really plan on.
The microscope will be on Nathan Horton and his ailing shoulder, but even though he left Game 1, it's an injury he's been dealing with all postseason. He may be limited a bit, but with the way that Lucic-Krejci-Horton line is clicking, I don't anticipate they'll skip a beat even if Horton's not at full strength.
The two power-play units could also play a major factor, and all it'll take is one goal. The Bruins got one the other night, but they're still at just 16.7 percent this postseason. The Blackhawks are even worse at 13 percent. Both teams no doubt were kicking themselves for missed opportunities the other night, and it'll be interesting to see how one power play goal could make all the difference tonight.
7:48 p.m.: The Bruins and Blackhawks are out on the ice at United Center for pregame warmups. Both teams have the same lineups from Game 1, which means Torey Krug and Nathan Horton will both be in there for Boston, if everything holds.
6:45 p.m.: It's been a relatively quiet day in advance of Game 2. The only bit of real news is that Claude Julien said he expects Horton to play, which wasn't surprising after seeing him at practice and morning skate.
If you're antsy for the game to begin and need some pregame reading, we got:
Sidney Crosby's Accusation Against Zdeno Chara Another Low Point For The Face Of The NHL
Nick Cotsonika On The Adam Jones Show: Bruins Just Need To Play Like They Did In Game 1
Kalman: Time For Peverley, Seguin To Step Up
Bruins Bergeron Named King Clancy Trophy Winner
5 p.m.: Tonight's Game 2 is not a must-win for the Boston Bruins, but it's very close.
While everyone knows that the Bruins were able to rally from a 2-0 hole against Vancouver two years ago, that's hardly a desirable position to be in right now against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Bruins can't count on their opposing goalie melting down, or the other team's top stars to wilt under pressure, so they know there's nothing more important right now then getting home in a 1-1 tie.
They will, most likely, have Nathan Horton in the lineup to do that. The top-line winger took morning skate with the team after splitting time in practice with Tyler Seguin on Friday. It's an indication that Horton is willing and able to play through the pain of his shoulder injury.
The Blackhawks proved in Game 1 that they are a relentless team with no quit in them, and they provided a stiff wake-up call to the Bruins that this isn't the conference finals anymore. I'd expect the same effort out of them tonight, knowing what's at stake.
If there any unforeseen changes to the lineups or anything of the sort prior to the game, I'll post them here in the live blog. I'll also be providing live commentary throughout the game (which hopefully goes fewer than three overtimes), so check back throughout the night as the Bruins and Blackhawks battle in what should be another thriller in Chicago.
Read more from Michael by clicking here, or find him on Twitter @michaelFhurley.
