The Boston Bruins already have had their fair share of frustrating losses in the young season, but none were as demoralizing as Saturday night’s defeat at TD Garden.
The B’s and Los Angeles Kings looked to be on their way to a shootout, but Tyler Toffoli beat the final buzzer of the overtime period to give L.A. a 2-1 victory.
Both goaltenders turned in strong performances. Tuukka Rask stopped 21 of 23 shot attempts, but Jonathan Quick’s 28-save performance on 29 shots helped lift the Kings to the overtime win.
The Bruins fall to 4-3-2 with the loss, while the Kings improve to 9-1-1.
BACKHAND BEAUTIES
It didn’t take the Bruins very long to open the scoring against the Kings. After an impressive series of puck movement out of the Boston’s zone just over five minutes into the first period, Charlie McAvoy found a surging Brad Marchand, who snuck a backhanded tap past Quick to give the B’s an early lead.
The Kings logged a backhand goal of their own less than four minutes later. Following a Torey Krug turnover, Toffoli needed no help to lift a shot past Rask’s stick side and even the score.
It was a very evenly matched opening 20 minutes. Both clubs failed to convert on a man advantage, and the B’s narrowly outshot the Kings by a 10-9 margin.
STALEMATE
The second period had plenty of back-and-forth action, but neither club was able to do damage to the scoreboard.
The Kings by far were the more aggressive team in the second frame, which was manifested in their 12-5 shot advantage in the period. Had it not been for a number of impressive saves by Rask, L.A. very well could have held a multi-goal advantage heading into the final 20 minutes.
The Bruins boasted the advantage in zone time, but they failed to create many legitimate scoring chances in the second period.
NETMINDERS SHINE
The third period was eerily similar to the third, as the teams traded offensive rushes to no avail.
Both clubs went on their second man-advantage of the game, but stifling defense combined with strong goalie play on both sides prevented any chances of a power-play goal.
The Bruins turned in a much stronger offensive performance in the third than in the second, outshooting the Kings by an 11-5 margin. While L.A.’s scoring chances were minimal, the visitors nearly notched a late go-ahead goal, but Rask made a stellar save to deny an Alex Iafallo wrist shot.
KINGS CONQUER
The Bruins and Kings looked ticketed for a shootout, but L.A. notched the game-winner that most didn’t believe was possible.
After the B’s iced the puck, the Kings held a faceoff with .9 seconds remaining in the overtime period. Anze Kopitar won the faceoff and dished the puck straight to Toffoli, whose second goal of the game sent the Kings home winners.
UP NEXT
The Bruins hit the road for a Monday night showdown with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Puck drop from Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
