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Bruins Blow Late Lead in Devastating Loss to Penguins

With a 5-4 lead and 30 seconds left in the game, the Bruins had the puck deep in the Penguins’ zone and two points on the way. But the Penguins were able to defend their empty net with the extra attacker and create one last scoring chance to send a dagger into the hearts of the Bruins.

Bill Guerin scored a game-tying goal with 0.4 seconds left, and Pascal Dupuis sent Mellon Arena home happy with the game-winner 1:24 into overtime.

Penguins 6, Bruins 5 (OT)
Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Nov. 14, 2009

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Headliner: Pascal Dupuis scored his fourth and fifth goals of the season on Saturday, including the game-winner in overtime. The Pittsburgh offense picked up the slack for the defense by making up for the five goals netted by the B’s. The Bruins took their first lead of the game with 2:29 left in the third, but Both of Dupuis’ goals gave the Penguins a lead, and his second goal gave the Pens the lead for good.

Grinder: Evgeni Malkin returned to action against the Bruins for the first time since Oct. 28, but he didn’t show any signs of a player who missed nearly three weeks of action. Malkin recorded three assists against the B’s to increase his total to 13 on the season. With one of the best players in the game back in the lineup, the defending champs won’t be hovering around .500 for too much longer.

Weak Link: Usually, when the Bruins score five goals, they win. On Saturday, that wasn’t the case. The Bruins’ defense let the Penguins skate around them in the neutral zone and the offensive zone, dominating the play and continually putting the pressure on Tim Thomas. But Thomas was flat, allowing six goals, the worst two coming on the tying and game-winning goals. Thomas let Bill Guerin snipe from the top of the circle with less than a second left to play, and Thomas misplayed a puck behind the net in overtime that led to Dupuis’ goal. It was not the best effort between the pipes for the Bruins.

Key Moment: The Penguins trailed 5-4 late in the third, but with 1:40 left on the clock, they went all-in. Pittsburgh pulled their goalie to bring on an extra attacker and try to tie the game with a faceoff in the Bruins’ zone. The plan nearly backfired several times, but the Bruins couldn’t get a clear shot at the open net. The Penguins’ decision to pull the goalie was justified at 19:59 of the third, however, when Guerin netted the tying goal.

What’s Next: After having some dramatic come-from-behind wins this season, the Bruins choked away what looked like a guaranteed two points on Saturday. The Black and Gold have Sunday off to reflect on their devastating defeat before preparing for the Islanders on Monday at the Garden. The Bruins could use the young and inexperienced Islanders to get back in the win column, or they can continue to struggle to find a rhythm.