Neither side was able to score in the first three rounds, nor the first two rounds of sudden death.
That ends a three-game win streak for the Bruins, though they did take one point out of the effort. The Kings snap a three-game losing streak with the victory, the fourth straight game between these teams that has gone to either overtime or a shootout, with Los Angeles winning all four.
End Overtime, 3-3: And we’re headed to a shootout.
The Bruins had a 41-26 edge in shots, but both teams managed to get just three pucks in over the course of 65 minutes.
Overtime, 4:30, 3-3: One of the linesmen, Steve Miller, is down hurt in front of the penalty boxes, almost in the exact spot Krejci was hurt in overtime against St. Louis a couple Saturday nights ago.
Overtime, 3:10, 3-3: Lots of up and down action so far in OT, but neither team has really come close to ending this one without the dreaded shootout.
Overtime, 0:00, 3-3: And we’re under way in the five-minute extra session here with the sides skating 4-on-4.
End Regulation, 3-3: And 60 minutes won’t settle this one, as we’re headed to overtime after the Bruins rallied from a 3-0 deficit early in the second period to earn at least one point.
Third Period, 18:17, 3-3: The Bruins successfully kill off the penalty, now have just under two minutes at even strength to try to get the go-ahead goal.
Third Period, 16:17, 3-3: The Bruins will need another huge effort fro the penalty kill here in the closing minutes as Mark Recchi is called for hooking.
Third Period, 13:44, 3-3: And the Bruins have rallied all the way back to tie it on the power play.
Patrice Bergeron scores the goal with a wrister top-shelf from the left side off a feed by Blake Wheeler at the left side. Wheeler had collected the rebound of a Johnny Boychuk shot.
Third Period, 12:23, Kings 3-2: Big chance here for the Bruins, as they go on the power play with Kyle Clifford sent off for slashing.
Third Period, 11:39, Kings 3-2: Ference turns the puck over at the blue line, allowing Williams a chance to break in, but Thomas comes up with the stop.
Third Period, 10:57, Kings 3-2: Matt Hunwick wasn’t able to keep the puck in at the line, but he did send Wayne Simmonds up into the L.A. bench with a hit.
Third Period, 8:36, Kings 3-2: The Bruins were all over the Kings in that shift, creating multiple chances before forcing L.A. to ice it, then use its timeout.
The Bruins created the pressure in the midst of a line chance, as Krejci and Horton stayed out after Marchand had jumped on for Lucic.
Third Period, 6:18, Kings 3-2: The Bruins came very close to tying it there, with a great setup from behind the net by Seguin, out to Wheeler at the top of the crease for the quick shot.
But Quick is able to block the shot and control the rebound for the Kings.
Third Period, 4:46, Kings 3-2: Chara jumps up into the attack to create a chance, but Quick keeps the bouncing puck out and Krejci can’t connect with Chara for a second bid at the left post.
Third Period, 3:00, Kings 3-2: The Kings look to be sitting back and playing a bit more defensively to start the third. Not surprising as they try to hang on for the road win.
Third Period, 0:00, Kings 3-2: The final frame is under way as the Bruins look to complete their comeback.
The Bruins are just 1-4-1 when trailing after two periods, while L.A. is a perfect 6-0-0 when leading after two this year.
Second Intermission Notes: Much better period for the Bruins in the third, as they pulled to within one despite allowing another early goal.
Blake Wheeler strikes first as he continues to play well at center, remaining in the middle even with Krejci back. Then the fourth line gets rewarded for drawing a penalty, staying out with the extra attacker on the delayed call as Campbell put in a rebound of Thornton’s shot.
The Bruins brought more energy in that frame, outhitting L.A. 10-5 (17-12 for the game), with Dennis Seidenberg setting the tone with four hits and two blocked shots. Krejci has three shots, two takeaways and is 7-4 on faceoffs in a strong return to the lineup so far. The Bruins aren’t easing him back into action either, as he leads the club’s forwards in ice-time at 12:42.
End Second Period, Kings 3-2: After giving up another early goal, the Bruins rallied back in the second to pull within a goal going into the final frame.
Matt Hunwick nearly undid the good of that rally as he had a pass skip over his stick at the blue line, then didn’t hustle back to recover the puck in his own zone, leading to a Kings’ chance in the final minute.
Second Period, 18:40, Kings 3-2: The Kings rejoin the penalty parade as Justin Williams is whistled for goalie interference.
That puts the sides 4-on-4 for 53 seconds, then the B’s will have a brief power play of their own.
Second Period, 17:32, Kings 3-2: The Bruins go right back on the PK, as Lucic is called for cross-checking Drew Doughty.
Second Period, 16:22, Kings 3-2: The Bruins’ PK comes through again, though the Kings did have a lot of possession time in the Boston zone during that penalty to create some anxious moments before Chara returned to the ice.
Second Period, 14:22, Kings 3-2: The Bruins’ momentum gets slowed a bit here as they will have to kill off another penalty.
Chara is sent off again, this time for tripping, and the captain was not pleased at all with the call.
Second Period, 11:30, Kings 3-2: The Bruins continue their comeback, with Greg Campbell cutting the deficit to one goal on a delayed penalty.
With the extra attacker on, Shawn Thornton fires in the puck from the left point, and Campbell scoops up the rebound in front and flips it home.
Second Period, 10:53, Kings 3-1: The Bruins kill off another penalty, though a couple more guys nearly get sent to the box as Andrew Ference and Ryan Smyth have a running battle in the corner that draws no calls.
Second Period, 8:53, Kings 3-1: The Kings will go on the power play here as Johnny Boychuk is sent to the box for tripping.
Second Period, 7:00, Kings 3-1: Thomas gets the Bronx cheer after handling a long shot it.
Thomas hasn’t been sharp in this one, but he’s been too good this year to get that treatment. B’s lead 17-10 in shots now, but still trail 3-1.
Second Period, 4:30, Kings 3-1: The Bruins finally answer, with Blake Wheeler getting Boston on the board.
Tyler Seguin and Zdeno Chara pick up the assists as Wheeler slips a shot through at the right post to start the comeback.
Second Period, 2:50, Kings 3-0: And the Kings add another to make it 3-0.
After a turnover at the blue line, L.A. breaks down the other end, with Stoll and Williams working a give-and-go, with Stoll taking the return pass at the top of the crease and firing it home.
Second Period, 1:18, Kings 2-0: Krejci nearly had a triumphant return, redirecting a shot in front, but Quick is able to make the save to keep it at 2-0.
Second Period, 0:00, Kings 2-0: And we’re back under way in the middle frame, with the Bruins looking to dig out of an early two-goal hole.
First Intermission Notes: The Bruins came out a bit sluggish for this one despite the fact that it was L.A. that played Friday night in Buffalo.
The Kings took advantage with a quick strike in the opening minute. The Bruins’ game got better as the period went on and they actually outshot the Kings 14-7, but the Kings remained opportunistic and added a second goal.
David Krejci played 10 shifts for 6:55 had had a pair of shots in his first period back. Some 2:55 of that came on the power play, as he rejoined Lucic, Horton, Bergeron and Chara on the top unit. That group created some quality chances, but Boston is 0-3 on the man-advantage so far.
End First Period, Kings 2-0: The opening frame is in the books, and it wasn’t a pretty one for the Bruins.
The Bruins look like the team playing their second game in as many nights rather than the Kings, who have had more energy and cohesiveness so far.
First Period, 18:28, Kings 2-0: The Kings nearly make it 3-0 as Brown breaks in alone with a short-handed bid, but Thomas stones him on the chance.
First Period, 17:48, Kings 2-0: The Bruins go back on the power play, this time with Jarret Stoll sent off for holding.
First Period, 14:55, Kings 2-0: The Bruins are outshooting L.A. 10-4 so far, but trail 2-0. That’s going to hurt Thomas’ gaudy save percentage.
First Period, 13:57, Kings 2-0: The Bruins can’t convert that power-play chance, though they did create some chances, including one shot off the post.
First Period, 11:57, Kings 2-0: The Bruins have a chance to get one goal back as Drewiske is sent off for hooking to give Boston another power-play chance.
First Period, 11:17, Kings 2-0: After both teams failed to score with the man-advantage, the Kings strike again just after the sides returned to even strength.
Davis Drewiske sent in the original shot from the left point that was blocked in front, but Handzus flipped in the rebound through a screen past Thomas.
First Period, 9:03, Kings 1-0: The Kings don’t stay on the power play long, as Dustin Brown is called for holding.
It will be 4-on-4 play for 1:05 with both teams’ captains in the box, then the Bruins will get a brief power play of their own.
First Period, 8:08, Kings 1-0: The Kings get the first power play of the night as Chara is sent off for high-sticking.
First Period, 7:12, Kings 1-0: The Kings did switch up their lines, breaking up their all-rookie fourth unit. Kyle Clifford moved up to the third line with Wayne Simmonds and Michal Handzus, while Richardson moved down to the fourth line with Kevin Westgarth and Trevor Lewis.
It was the fourth line that produced the early goal, with Westgarth earning his first career point with the assist.
First Period, 5:02, Kings 1-0: Wheeler has also remained at center,with Seguin shifting to left wing.
Wheeler just set up Ryder with another chance from the slot that was blocked out front, but Wheeler put the follow up on net from the left circle.
First Period, 4:12, Kings 1-0: Krejci is back between Lucic and Horton on the top line, as the Bruins have their old lineup from the start of the season back together.
First Period, 0:57, Kings 1-0: And less than a minute in the Bruins are facing a deficit, as Brad Richardson scores.
Richardson cuts to the right wing and picks the far corner to beat Thomas, just seconds after Ryder was robbed from the slot at the other end of the ice.
First Period, 0:00, 0-0: And we’re under way at the Garden, with the Bruins taking on the Kings in an interconference clash.
6:55 p.m.: David Krejci is indeed back in the lineup.
Daniel Paille and Adam McQuaid are the scratches for the Bruins, with the reunited line of Greg Campbell, Shawn Thornton and Brad Marchand getting the start up front, with Mark Stuart and Dennis Seidenberg on defense and Tim Thomas in goal.
The Kings have scratched defenseman Jake Muzzin. Ryan Smyth, Jarrret Stoll and Justin Williams will start up front, Drew Doughty and Rob Scuderion defense and Jonathan Quick in goal.
6:45 p.m.: The Bruins are wrapping up their warm-up, and David Krejci did take part.
He also skated with old linemates Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton in the line drills, so it’s looking like a real chance that Krejci will return from his concussion in this game.
With Krejci back on the top line, Patrice Bergeron was with Jordan Caron and Mark Recchi and the old energy line of Greg Campbell between Shawn Thornton and Brad Marchand was reunited. That left Tyler Seguin with Blake Wheeler and Michael Ryder, but it appeared that Wheeler is remaining at center and Seguin could shift to the wing.
Barring a last-minute decision to keep Krejci out a little longer, Daniel Paille appears like the odd man out again.
Tim Thomas led the team out, indicating he will indeed start. His night didn’t get off to a great start though, as he wiped out just after taking the ice, losing his helmet as he went sprawling into the corner. No damage done, just some minor embarrassment.
Jonathan Quick led the Kings on the ice and should start as expected for L.A.
6 p.m.: About an hour to go before faceoff for this one, as the Bruins look to win their fourth straight when the Kings come to the Garden.
Prior to the start, the Bruins will hold a moment of silence to honor Pat Burns, who passed away on Friday after a long struggle with cancer. Burns won the Jack Adams Trophy as the NHL’s coach of the year three times, including once with Boston in 1997-98. He coached 254 games with the Bruins from 1997-2000.
5 p.m.: Busy day at the Garden on this Saturday, as the ice was crowded for the morning skate with Marc Savard and Marco Sturm both skating with the team for the first time.
Savard was just cleared to practce on Friday, but still has not been cleared for contact. Still, it was an important step forward in his recovering and he was very ecited about the chance to skate with his teammates, calling the workout “fantastic.”
Savard also addressed the Colin Campbell email controversy, but downplayed any issues with his former coach and current head of NHL discipline despite Campbell calling him the “biggest faker going.” Savard stated he “has nothing against Colie” and that it “had nothing to do with the [Matt] Cooke incident.”
Tim Thomas was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, indicating he’ll likely get the start in this one despite Tuukka Rask posting a 41-save shutout on Thursday. Milford, Conn. native and UMass-Amherst product Jonathan Quick will get the start for the Kings. A complete rundown of the projected lineups can be found here, while a full breakdown of the matchup can be found in our Facing Off feature.
8 a.m.: The Bruins finally have things cooking at home with wins in their last two games at the Garden against New Jersey and Florida. They’ve won three straight overall, and will try to extend both streaks as they welcome the Kings to the Garden for their only visit of the season on Saturday.
Los Angeles limps in after dropping a 4-2 decision to the Sabres in Buffalo on Friday night. It was the third straight loss for the Kings, who have hit their first rough patch of the season after a sizzling start. L.A. is still an impressive 12-6-0 overall and boast a deep and dangerous offensive attack, so the Bruins best not take the Kings lightly despite their recent struggles.
Tuukka Rask finally earned his first win of the season on Thursday and did it in style with a 41-save shutout of the Panthers. That should earn him a chance to start back-to-back games for the first time this season, though Claude Julien could hardly be faulted if he chose to go back to Tim Thomas. All Thomas has done this year is start the season 10-1-0 with a 1.37 GAA, .959 save percentage and four shutouts.
The puck drops at 7 p.m., so check back here throughout the day for updates on all the action.
