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Bruins explode late vs. Oilers; Iginla practices with P-Bruins

February 21, 2018, 1:09 AM ET [19 Comments]
Ty Anderson
Boston Bruins Blogger •Bruins Feature Columnist • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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Even without the benefit of last change, the Bruins found a way to hold the Oilers to just three shots in the opening 20 minutes. Unfortunately for the B’s, the Oilers made their third shot count, and put the Bruins in an 0-1 hole 1:34 before the end of the first period.

It was hardly the end of the world for the Bruins, who would put 18 shots on net in the second period. But Edmonton made things worse when Jujhar Khaira doubled their lead at the 11:38 mark of the middle frame and put the B’s in a two-goal deficit through 40.

But as we’re learning, you can never count this team out, as a three-goal outburst allowed the Black and Gold to escape Alberta with their second win in as many nights.

It began with Noel Acciari’s wraparound at the 4:37 mark of the third period. Then Matt Grzelcyk finished a chance generated off a great dish from Riley Nash for his second goal of the season, scored 7:05 later. And finally, with just 64 seconds left in regulation, the Bruins completely flipped the script with a tremendous three-man effort.

David Backes, moved to David Krejci’s line along with Danton Heinen, kept the play alive by beating Drake Caggiula to a loose puck along the boards in the attacking zone . Backes then got the puck to Heinen behind the net, while Heinen shifted ever so slightly to the opposite side behind Cam Talbot’s net, and fed Krejci with a beautiful pass.

And Krejci, with his 11th goal of the season, did not miss.




While we recognize the obvious asterisks of this game before we drool over what we saw -- it’s a road game in Edmonton in the middle of February -- it almost makes an equal amount of sense to use that reasoning for some additional praise.

Given where they were, without even a little bit of luck with 31 shots and a post but zero goals through two periods, and with this being the third game in four nights, it would have been expected for the Bruins to fire up the bus and get the hell out of Edmonton.

But this team doesn’t quit. They don’t even know the word, really.

This is a big reason why I think B’s general manager Don Sweeney is going to be very careful when it comes to additional tinkering with the main pieces of this roster.

Areas of the roster that we’ll sometimes find worth tweaking -- such as late-game right-side presences to plug with Zdeno Chara and stronger wingers for Krejci when situations call for it -- can be upgraded by pieces of that night’s roster on a night-to-night basis. Tonight that was Backes and Heinen for Krejci, and the rugged-even-if-stylistically-outdated Adam McQuaid in the final moments of a 6-on-4 advantage for the Oilers.

There’s comfort in a flexible and versatile roster, and especially one that you know is not going quit on you, which the Bruins undoubtedly have from this current group. Even on nights like Tuesday, when they seemingly had every reason to do just that.

This and that

- Zdeno Chara is proving 40 is the new 20.

In over 15 minutes of five-on-five, head-to-head action against Connor McDavid tonight, Chara posted a 62.5 Corsi-For percentage, while the Bruins out-chanced the Oilers 12-to-4. Just absolutely fantastic for the soon to be 41-year-old rock of the Boston backend.

- Still a hard pass on Patrick Maroon. Just don't see the fit in Boston.

- Here's something you're not supposed to read into (at least not according to the Bruins): Jarome Iginla took part in a P-Bruins practice on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old Iginla, who underwent hip surgery four months ago and now calls Boston his full-time home, apparently reached out to the Bruins and asked if he could join the team for a skate or two to see how he feels and what his next step (if any) would be.

It's clear that Iginla, still without a Cup, would love to latch on with a contender if he's healthy enough, and that he thinks he has something left in the tank after a 14-goal, 27-point run between the Avs and Kings last season that was saved by a late-season surge with the Kings.

Sweeney, for the record, said it was more for Jarome than it was for the Bruins.

But, for fun, let's read into it: If Iginla could prove that the hip is not an issue, I would not be against signing him to the prorated league minimum and seeing what he could do for your team down the stretch. I think it's a better move than spending a first-round pick on a Maroon or Thomas Vanek, and it would not massively disrupt your chemistry or force you to find a fit given the price paid.

After all, he wouldn't be the worst 13th skater to have hanging around your locker room in the event that it did not work out as an impact player.

Up next

The Bruins head to Toronto for the final game of their season series with the Maple Leafs. The Bruins are 1-1-1 against the Leafs this season, and beat 'em by a 4-1 final back on Feb. 3.

Ty Anderson is the Boston Bruins beat writer for WEEI.com, and has been covering the National Hockey League for HockeyBuzz.com since 2010. He can be heard on the Saturday Skate program on 93.7 WEEI (Boston), and has been part of the Boston Chapter of the PHWA since 2013. Contact him on Twitter or send him an email at Ty.AndersonHB[at]gmail.com.
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