If the Boston Bruins’ last three games were the turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes at your Thanksgiving dinner, Wednesday’s was that funky-smelling green bean casserole your Aunt Margaret insists on bringing every year.
The Detroit Red Wings thoroughly dominated the Bruins for the bulk of their Thanksgiving eve matchup, outshooting them in each period and seemingly winning every puck battle over the final 40 minutes.
But Jonas Gustavsson, playing in his first game back in his former home arena, was Boston’s saving grace. The veteran goaltender saved 32 of the 34 shots sent his way in regulation, assuring that the Bruins never fell behind by more than one goal.
Gustavsson’s play allowed the Bruins to stay within striking distance until late in the third period, and Colin Miller buried the equalizer with 1:44 to force overtime. Three minutes into that extra session, Frank Vatrano potted the game-winner, clinching a 3-2 victory for Boston in the most dramatic of fashions.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Vatrano’s second goal of the night — and third of his career — whizzed past Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek to secure Boston’s fourth consecutive win.
THE KID IS BACK
Vatrano returned to the Bruins’ lineup after missing two games with an upper body injury, and in just his second minute of ice time, the rookie lit the lamp.
With the Bruins in the midst of a line chance, the third-line winger received a pass from Joonas Kemppainen and fired it past Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek to open the scoring.
Kemppainen and Landon Ferraro were credited with assists on the play, but it was defenseman Zdeno Chara who made it possible with a goal-saving play at the other end.
A Niklas Kronwall shot hit Gustavsson and tricked between the goalie’s legs, but Chara was there to swat the puck aside before it crossed the line.
SLEEPY SECOND
The Red Wings blew the Bruins’ doors off in the second period. Boston was outscored 2-0, outshot 11-4 and limited to just one quality scoring chance. At second intermission, defenseman Zach Trotman — owner of one career NHL goal — was the only B’s skater with more than two shots on net.
The Bruins have surrendered five second-period goals in their last two games while scoring just one.
HOMECOMING KING
Gustavsson, who spent the last three seasons with the Red Wings, was superb in his return to Joe Louis Arena, allowing fewer than three goals for the fourth time in six starts this season. He’s lost just once since joining the Bruins.
Wednesday also represented a homecoming for Ferraro, who was drafted by Detroit in 2009 and played five seasons in the Wings organization before being waived Saturday. The Bruins claimed him one day later, and he has two points (both assists) in as many games for his new club.
WHAT IT MEANS
The win allowed the Bruins to vault past the Red Wings and into third place in the Atlantic Division. If the season ended Thursday, they would be a playoff team.
UP NEXT
After enjoying a day off for Thanksgiving, the Bruins will host the Metropolitan Division-leading New York Rangers in a Black Friday matinee. Puck drop is set for 1 p.m. ET at TD Garden.
Thumbnail photo via Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports Images
