RECAP: Bruins fall to Penguins in tight 1-0 game

First Period

National announcers approached this game as a potentially devastating win for Pittsburgh. Have they MET Jeremy Swayman?!

In all seriousness, PIT started off with some strong dump-and-chase shifts. The national broadcast had no favors saved for Jeremy Swayman, despite his recurring success. Not that he cares.

As play got underway, Taylor Hall was obviously invested:

Thus, Twitter debated whether or not he was actually a Decent Hockey Player.

Not much to report here, other than the usual back-and-forth of a hockey game. Both teams had some solid rushes but no real threatening scoring opportunities.

Second Period

This frame was not much more entertaining. Neutral zone play was stifling, and even the most capable attackers were left wondering how to score a goal. Jeremy Lauzon took a solid hit and Chris Wagner was hauled down behind the Penguins net, but not much to report beyond all that Hofckey(™).

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy swapped lines around late in the second, moving Charlie Coyle to the wing:

The shuffle didn’t help much, as the score stayed tied through two periods. Not a lot of adventure in the middle portion of the game.

Third Period

Pittsburgh came out firing for the third, with several opportunities and a high-danger wraparound chance from Teddy Blueger. Another shot from Pittsburgh netted the game’s first tally, a quick shot from the left circle.

The Penguins weren’t getting great chances, but Boston continued to let Pittsburgh waltz through the neutral zone, which lends itself to goals.

Late in the frame, Boston managed to generate a few chances, but Pittsburgh had general control of play for hours already, so it waa too little, too late for the Bruins.

A quiet afternoon for Boston, and another chance to gain on a division leader lost. The Pens win vaults Pittsburgh into first in the MassMutual East by a point over the Capitals, at least for the day.