Plus/Minus: Bruins Overcome Sluggish Second Period In 3-2 Win Over Florida
BOSTON (CBS) - With Florida breathing down their necks in the standings, it was a gut-check win for the Bruins Tuesday night at TD Garden.
Milan Lucic had the big goal late in the third period that gave Boston the win and the much-needed two points.
With only a handful of games left in the season, every game from here on out feels like a Game 7 in the playoffs. The B's came out of the first intermission sluggish and allowed two goals in the second period. But they bounced back nicely in the third, and avoided overtime (and the dreaded shootout) thanks to Lucic's game-winner at the 18:51 mark.
Watch below:
Following Boston's 3-2 win over the Panthers, the Eastern Conference playoff picture is starting to get a little more in focus as the NHL regular season winds down.
After the win, 98.5 The Sports Hub's Adam Jones caught up with Dave Goucher and Bob Beers of the Bruins Radio Network for a game summary and recap.
"They needed to pick up the pace after that second period, no question about it. They were able to generate some momentum right off the bat [in the third period], and it was a much better job of getting the puck out of their own zone and up the ice into the offensive end. They continued to push the pace," Goucher said of the Bruins.
"It was kind of a strange tying goal from David Pastrnak -- he said he got a piece of it and [Panthers goalie] Roberto Luongo couldn't handle it. Then it was Lucic five-hole on Luongo with just over a minute left that wrapped it up for them."
Head coach Claude Julien acknowledged after the game that the Lucic-Ryan Spooner-Pastrnak has been one of their most productive lines, and it's been talked about ad nauseam that you simply can't break them up.
But what is it about the trio that makes them so good together?
"They possess a certain skill set. You've got Pastrnak who's not a big strong guy, but he's got some great offensive instincts in terms of individual skill-wise and what he's able to create for you. Spooner has got a couple more years of experience than Pastrnak does; he's spent some time in Providence and he's seen the pro level. He's had his shot up here and he's making the most out of his opportunity now. Spooner has got the speed, the skill and the vision in that offensive zone, plus he's got a good shot and he's not afraid to take it. He's helped to create offensively," color analyst Bob Beers said of two young forwards.
"And Lucic has fed off the speed. He's had to keep his feet moving to keep up with those guys. When he normally plays with David Krejci he plays a much different game; a much more controlled game. Lucic has to get his feet moving, get up there, use his physicality to pry pucks free and drive the front of the net. Those guys have been able to make plays. Lucic opens up the passing lanes and the other two guys do the rest."
David Krejci hasn't looked great playing right wing since returning from injury, but both Goucher and Beers were pleased with his game Tuesday night and how he's progressing at the new position.
"That's a good sign for the Bruins, no matter where they end up putting [Krejci] and where he ends up," said Beers. "It looked like he had a little extra jump in his step."
After his chat with Goucher and Beers, Adam Jones goes through the positives and negatives from the game in Plus/Minus.
Listen below for the full game summary!
Hear every game of the 2014-15 Boston Bruins season on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the Boston Bruins. Pregame coverage with Dave Goucher and Bob Beers begins 30 minutes prior to every game!
