GOLD STAR: Nikita Kucherov had his best game of the series to date, and that does not bode well for the Boston Bruins. Kucherov scored on a smoked one-timer from the face-off circle to give the Lightning a 2-0 lead in the first period, and then it was Kucherov that stripped Charlie McAvoy of the puck behind the Boston net for the game-tying goal in the third period. It certainly looked like a hold with both of Kucherov’s arms draped all over McAvoy as he tackled him to the ice, but it turned into the catalyst for a game-tying goal for the Lightning. Kucherov finished with five shots on net and 10 shot attempts in 17:50 of ice time, and had his most productive game for Tampa as it seems like their star players are finally starting to get some traction.
BLACK EYE: The referees have been bad, bad and more bad in this entire series, and continue to make crucial mistakes that are costing the Bruins way more than they are the Lightning through the first four games. Tonight it was a play in the third period where Nikita Kucherov basically wrapped both arms around Charlie McAvoy behind the Boston net and hauled him down forcing a turnover that immediately led to a game-tying score for Steve Stamkos. It was a pretty clear holding call that led to a scoring chance for Tampa, and that shouldn’t be overlooked when the Bruins are the home team. Add that to the non-slashing call in the Brad Marchand breakaway in the Game 2 loss, and the referees have botched two major calls going against the Bruins in two very close losses for the Black and Gold. It isn’t just the Bruins/Lightning series either as the officiating has been very questionable across the league during the playoffs, but at least it normally evens out for both teams in a playoff series. The Bruins are still waiting for that to happen in this one.
TURNING POINT: The final turning point for the Bruins was the overtime session when Brian Gionta, Ryan Donato, and Noel Acciari were stuck out on the ice together in the defensive zone, and a lost board battle turned into a scoring Tampa play right in front of the Boston net. It certainly wasn’t losing with the best out on the ice for the Black and Gold, but you’ve got to play everybody during the 5-on-5 playoff overtimes, especially after riding your main players in the third period while trying to protect a one-goal lead. In the end, the real chance for the Bruins to win this game was to finish up strong and wrap things up in the third period, and a bad non-call along with a lack of finish during 5-on-5 play both hurt the Bruins at the end of regulation. Once it goes up to the fickle nature of a puck bounce in OT, the Bruins were leaving things to chance.
HONORABLE MENTION: It’s too bad the Bruins lost this game because Patrice Bergeron was a dominant force for the Black and Gold. Bergeron finished with two goals including what looked like the game-winner for the Bruins on a brilliant shorthanded play with Brad Marchand, and he also led the Bruins with seven shots on net during his 20:43 of ice time. Bergeron also finished with a hit and a takeaway in his night’s work and won 16-of-22 face-offs while amazingly not having to deal with getting kicked out of the circle like he had in Game 2 in Tampa. Bergeron was the best player on the ice for either team and he was playing winning hockey from beginning to end. It’s just a shame that the circumstances of the game took that victory away from No. 37 and the rest of the Bruins.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3 – the number of consecutive games in the series vs. Tampa where the Bruins have given up the first goal and dug themselves a hole that takes some time to get out of. If the B’s want to win another game in the series, they need to start out strong and score first.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I have no comment on the officiating.” –Charlie McAvoy was opting to not get himself in any hot water with the league after there was no call in the third period when he was hauled down leading to the game-tying goal.