Bruins’ Home Winning Streak Snapped with SO Loss to Vegas

BOSTON – The Bruins stormed back from a three-goal deficit to secure a point, but fell to the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-3, in a shootout on Monday night at TD Garden. The setback snapped Boston’s NHL record home winning streak to start a season at 14 games.

“I am really proud of the group,” said coach Jim Montgomery. “I mean, this is a great group of players to coach. They never quit, they never stop playing, they never stop believing…down 3-0, we did not start on time. That’s unfortunate. We got beat through the middle of the ice too often tonight – that usually does not happen to us.

“Reminded me of the game in Ottawa [in October], but this time we found a way to get back in the game, get a point. Their goalie [Logan Thompson] played really well, especially in the second and third period. Unfortunate the streak came to an end but we all knew it was going to come to an end at some point.”

After falling behind, 3-0, just 51 seconds into the second period on Paul Cotter’s second goal of the night, the Bruins began to see their game level out. And by the end of the middle frame, they were down by just a goal after back-to-back markers from Brad Marchand (13:46 of the second) and David Pastrnak (19:35) in the closing minutes of the period.

“We know we can come back in any situation,” said Marchand. “Even when we got down three, we hadn’t played good yet, so a lot of time left in the game. It was more just frustrating that we let ourselves get in that position. We know they’re a good team and they play hard. They’re an older group and have a lot of experience, so we knew they would be ready. We didn’t start on time. It’s nice that we battled back but needed a better start.”

Boston continued its charge in the third period and tied things, 3-3, when Taylor Hall buried a second chance opportunity on the power play, just seconds after the end of a 5-on-3 advantage. The Bruins continued to carry the play the rest of the way and into overtime and had a chance to end the game with a power play in the extra session, but couldn’t cash in – a missed opportunity that the Black & Gold were left lamenting after the loss.

“The start killed us,” said Hall. “I mean, it was great that we battled back, but three goals are a huge hole and it’s not something that we can rely on every time out. But it’s good to face a little bit of adversity and to have moments during your season and in games that don’t look great and look bleak.

“To fight our way out was great, but I think we were exhausted by the end of the game from playing so hard and working to get our game back.”

Thompson, who made 40 saves on 43 shots, was immense for the Golden Knights throughout the contest, including a perfect 5-for-5 showing in the shootout as he stoned Marchand, Jake DeBrusk, Pastrnak, Hall, and Charlie Coyle. Jeremy Swayman, meanwhile, turned away the first four shots he faced in the shootout before former Bruins winger Reilly Smith ended things in the fifth round, handing the Bruins their first overtime/shootout loss of the season.

“I think as soon as we got that first goal, I think everybody believed on the bench that we were gonna tie it up,” said Pastrnak. “The fans were behind us. It was a great fight back. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get it done earlier than the shootout. There were chances, a tough one to swallow but a great fight back by the whole group. At the end of the day, it’s a good point.”

Video: Montgomery and players react to shootout loss vs. VGK

Keeping the Faith 

While the Bruins were hardly pleased with their start, they knew there was loads of time left as they faced a three-goal deficit. Boston was making progress throughout the second period, but when Marchand drove hard to the net and redirected a feed from Patrice Bergeron by Thompson to get the B’s on the board late in the frame, the Bruins felt they were back on the right track.

“It just gives us hope,” Marchand said of his tally. “We had kind of turned the tides before that. We were playing much better for about 10 minutes before that – and it gives us hope, kind of puts them back on their heels, kind of reinforces that we’re doing good things. We have a lot of experience.

“When we get down by three, we don’t really care, we just keep kind of pushing and then we kind of smell blood at that point and keep going. It’s almost like we get that mindset when we get that first one, we know we’re getting two and three.

“That’s kind of how we feel in this room, especially with the amount of time we had left in the game, but we needed that killer instinct in overtime. We kind of dropped the ball there.”

The Bruins have shown all season long that they are capable of overcoming multi-goal deficits, which can sew doubt in the opponent as soon as the B’s begin their push.

“I think at this point, teams know we’re a dangerous group and we have a lot of depth,” said Marchand. “We’re not just winning, we’re putting up a lot of goals this year and scoring a lot, so I think teams know we can do some damage. What’s been really good about our group this year is we don’t have just one line.

“On any night, a different guy is stepping up and winning the game for us, so that’s why we’re winning right now collectively as a group. That’s what you need to go on a deep run. Teams know that and are ready for us.”

Video: BOS Recap: Hall nets goal in 4-3 shootout loss

Wait, There’s More

• During the first TV timeout, the Bruins played a video tribute for Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy, who was returning to Boston for the first time since he was relieved of his duties in June after six seasons as the Black & Gold’s bench boss. “That’s something that I’ll get choked up about probably in about three seconds,” said Cassidy, who was visibly emotional during the tribute. “I appreciate it. It’s that simple. I appreciate it. I did what I could here to help the team win. Now, it’s on to Vegas and do what I can here.”
• Despite falling into a three-goal deficit, Montgomery opted to stick with Swayman between the pipes. The netminder finished with 21 saves on 24 shots. “The most important thing is he was playing sound goaltending,” said Montgomery. “We gave up breakaways and 2-on-1s and they made really good plays and really good shots. I like his attitude of being able to battle and shut the door down and give us an opportunity to get a point.”
• At times during the Bruins’ comeback, the energy inside TD Garden rivaled that of a playoff game, an atmosphere that was more than noticeable to the players on the ice. “Absolutely awesome fans,” said Swayman. “That’s what it’s like every night here, so we don’t take that for granted. We appreciate it so much, and it makes it the best rink in the NHL to play at, so super fun atmosphere.”

A standing ovation for Bruce Cassidy in his return to Boston. pic.twitter.com/Zm7CJLYBum

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 6, 2022