Third period play has been the difference for the Bruins lately, unfortunately tonight they got out-played in the third period as they fell to the Montreal Canadiens 3-1 after giving up 2 goals in the final period. Zdeno Chara was the lone goal scorer for the Bruins in the loss that brings their record to 8-4-1 on the season.
The Canadiens took advantage of an early power play opportunity after a tripping minor on Tyler Seguin. Andrei Markov held the puck on the right wing half wall and threaded a cross ice pass to P.K. Subban, who blasted a one-timer from the top of the left circle that beat Tuukka Rask high on the stick side. Mike Cammalleri also picked up a helper on the power play marker.
Zdeno Chara knotted it up for the B's with 4:11 left in the opening period. Milan Lucic carried the puck on the left wing and circled behind the net to the right wing circle. Lucic slid a pass to Chara at the top of the left circle and Big Z let a wrister fly that beat Carey Price top shelf. Patrice Bergeron added a secondary assist on Chara's 4th goal of the season.
The Habs appeared to score a goal that came off the left skate of Jeff Halpern with 4:35 left in the second period, but the goal was reviewed and determined to be scored "with a distinct kicking motion". With the goal taken off the board, the game remained tied at 1-1.
With the game tied at 1-1 early in the third period and Zdeno Chara in the box for interference, Brian Gionta pulled the Habs ahead with a power play goal. Gionta found some open ice at the left post and batted in a cross-ice pass from Mike Cammelleri for the 2-1 with 31 seconds gone in the third period.
Montreal added to their lead and made it 3-1 with 9:30 left in the third period. Scott Gomez collected a rebound in front after Mark Stuart failed to clear the puck from the doorstep. Tuukka Rask got a piece of Gomez's shot before it hit the crossbar and trickled over the goal line for the 2-goal lead.
Notes:
- Another hard luck loss for Tuukka Rask, who stooped 38 shots tonight.
- The Bruins are allowing far too many shots to get to the net lately. Last night, the gave up 46 shots last night against Pittsburgh and 41 shots tonight.
- This was Scott Gomez's 800th NHL game.
- There were a lot of ticky-tack calls for both teams tonight. The refs really took control and ruined the flow of the game, especially in the second period. Sometimes, you just have to let the kids play.
- Both the power play goals by the Habs were the result of moving the puck across the middle of the offensive zone. The Bruins need to do a better job of taking that pass away and keeping the puck on the perimeter on the PK.
- Dennis Seidenberg blocked 5 shots tonight. The team had 15 blocked shots total.
- For more on tonight's game, check out Habs Eyes on The Prize
- The Bruins are back in action on Saturday night when they take on the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden