The Boston Bruins gave up a 3-0 lead and lost 4-3 in overtime to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night to extend their losing streak to four games (0-3-1).
Boston had been 91-1-1 in games in which they led by three goals since 2011.
The B’s will stay in Alberta for a Wednesday night game against the Edmonton Oilers, the third game in a five-game road trip.
Here are three quick takeaways from Bruins-Flames.
1. Bruins Have Dominant First Period
Th Bruins played with great pace and energy over the first 20 minutes and were rewarded with the game’s first goal. Patrice Bergeron fed Brad Marchand with a cross-crease pass for a shorthanded tally after some brilliant defensive work in the neutral zone. Marchand’s 16th goal of the season (which ties Bergeron for the team lead) broke a streak of five straight games in which the Bruins gave up the first goal.
Boston doubled its lead when Dougie Hamilton showed excellent patience with the puck and found Zdeno Chara for a powerful slap shot from the point that beat Flames goaltender Karri Ramo. It ended a 14-game goalless drought for the B’s captain.
The Flames entered Monday’s game with a league-worst minus-17 goal differential in the first period this season.
2. Kevan Miller Suffers Injury
Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller suffered an injury and didn’t return to the game after his final shift at the 14:17 mark of the second period.
B’s head coach Claude Julien decided to play just two defense pairings for most of the third period. Zdeno Chara, Dougie Hamilton, Dennis Seidenberg and Torey Krug all received regular ice time, while Matt Bartkowski didn’t play the final 7:40 of regulation.
Miller missed about a month earlier in the season after dislocating his right shoulder on Oct. 18.
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3. Calgary Forces OT With Fantastic Comeback
The Flames scored three unanswered goals to force overtime and secure two valuable points to remain in a wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference. Two of those goals came in the third period and both were scored by veteran winger Jiri Hudler.
Calgary’s overtime goal was the result of some remarkable luck, but you must credit the team’s determination and strong work ethic to put itself in a position to succeed. The Flames have been an opportunistic team all season, as evidenced by their league-leading 10.12 shooting percentage at even strength. They lead the league with 10 wins when trailing after the second period.
Thumbnail photo via Candice Ward/USA TODAY Sports Images
