James Neal Called For Diving; Bruins Score Nine Seconds Later (Video)

BOSTON — James Neal put on quite the acting performance Monday night at TD Garden, but the referees weren’t buying it.

As he skated behind the Boston net, the Nashville Predators winger reacted as if he’d been punched in the face in an effort to draw a high-sticking call on Bruins goalie Jonas Gustavsson.

Gustavsson’s stick did appear to make contact with Neal’s upper body, but the goaltender was not penalized. Instead, Neal was called for embellishment and forced to spend two minutes in the penalty box.

Neal’s decision proved to be a costly one, as Loui Eriksson scored the Bruins’ second goal of the game just nine seconds into the ensuing power play.

Thumbnail photo via Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports Images