The Bruins put themselves in a tight spot with their 3-2 loss to Buffalo. They needed at least 1 point down in New Jersey, and they got 2.
Despite the lack of goals for 64 minutes and 41 seconds, the Bruins played one of their best games since last season. And they did it against a good team, on the road, and there's no shame in being shut down by Martin Brodeur either. But the B's were in control of the game, even when they didn't have the puck. They had long possessions in the Devils' zone and kept the pressure on New Jersey.
That persistence finally paid off with a few seconds left in OT, as the B's took advantage of two Devils colliding, stole the puck, then took advantage of a Devil that lost his stick. It was a fortunate scenario, but the Bruins played well enough to benefit from such a situation.
Bergeron's game winner was a huge goal. Both Atlanta and the Rangers won, so the B's needed both points last night to maintain their lead. They're also tied with Philly and Montreal, only tie-breakers keeping them in 8th. There are 5 Eastern Conference teams within 4 points of each other:
6: Philly - 82 points
7. Montreal - 82
8. BOSTON - 82
9. Atlanta - 80
10. NY Rangers - 78
The B's have a pair of easy games to possibly extend slim lead in the playoff race. They host the Panthers Thursday and play up in Toronto on Saturday.
Source:
ESPN
Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Bill Kostroun
