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Talking Points: Boston Bruins Beat Caps 4-1 To Take 3-1 Series Lead

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3 years ago

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Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins responded to a cheap shot on defenseman Kevan Miller with a four-goal outburst in the third period en route to a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals in Game 4 and a 3-1 series lead. The Bruins can now clinch the series in Game 5 in Washington DC on Sunday night.

GOLD STAR: David Pastrnak. The 2020 co-Rocket Richard winner finally got off the schneid by scoring a huge goal 29 ticks into the third period. The Boston Bruins winger almost go his first goal since May 8 eight minutes into the second period. Pastrnak was originally credited with the powerplay goal that put the Bruins up 1-0 at the time but the scoring officials changed the official scoring and gave the goal to Bruins winger Brad Marchand. Pastrnak didn’t let up though and was determined to light the lamp. Just 29 seconds into the third period, Pastrnak gave the Bruins a 2-0 lead and 34 seconds later the floodgates opened as Bruins center Charlie Coyle got his first goal of the playoffs as well to make it 3-0 Bruins 1:03 into the final frame. Pastrnak finished with a goal and an assist and had six shots on net and eight shot attempts.

 

 

BLACK EYE: Dmitry Orlov. 7:27 into the second period, the Capitals defenseman took a running start and launched himself into an unsuspecting Kevan Miller finishing it off with a cross-check to the head. Miller was on the ice for at least three minutes trying to gather his bearings. The rugged Bruins rearguard had to be helped to his feet and escorted off the ice by teammates and training staff. In typical NHL fashion, all Orlov got was a double-minor for roughing and the Bruins likely lose their toughest player and a leader. The Boston Bruins did make the Caps pay on the scoreboard when Brad Marchand scored at 8:00 but the loss of Miller will be huge.

 

 

TURNING POINT: The first 1:03 of the third period. As mentioned above, Coyle got his first lamplighter of the playoffs just 34 seconds after Pastrnak got his. Those two goals were a more effective statement to the Capitals than a physical retaliation for the Orlov hit on Miller. From there on, the Boston Bruins knew they could get that puck past Capitals goalie Ilya Samsonov with a bit more ease after the Caps netminder stopped 22 of 23 Bruins shots in the first two periods. At times it was looking as if Samsonov and the Capitals were going to steal this game but after those two quick strikes to begin the final frame, the tone was set.

 

 

HONORABLE MENTION: Bruins Powerplay. As my partner-in-crime Joe Haggerty wrote earlier in the day Friday, the Boston Bruins were extra focused on their powerplay heading into Game 4 after going 1-for-5 in Game 3 and 2-for-11 on the man-advantage in the first three games of the series. Well, whether it was that extra focus or the injury to Kevan Miller or both that woke the powerplay up, the Bruins exploded for three goals on the man-advantage in Game 4. Marchand, Pastrnak, and Matt Grzelcyk all lit the lamp on the powerplay Friday.

 

BY THE NUMBERS: 51 – The number of playoff wins Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask now after making 19 saves in the win Friday. Rask surpassed two-time Stanley Cup Champion Gerry Cheevers.

 

QUOTE TO NOTE:  “He’s a big part of our team. That was our main focus in the third – is get it done for him.” – Pastrnak on the Bruins responding in the third period after Miller’s injury.

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