Bloodie Heroes and Blazing Goals:
Still on the powerplay as they started the second period, the Bruins answered 26 seconds into the frame, courtesy of Pasternak. It was Pastas’s 13th goal and 31st point of the season. He telegraphed a pass to captain Brad Marchand before beating Quick five-hole.
As the teams pushed for the go-ahead goal, a Zibanejad turnover led to a Boston odd-man rush, but Charlie Coyle shot the puck wide. It was a mistake you rarely see Zibanejad make, but that’s how contested this game was. Then another New York turnover led to Jakub Lauko chance, which Quick stopped.
Yet, with 11:21 left, a horrendous too many men penalty put the Bruins on the power play. It felt like a mistake that would prove costly, but the Blueshirts recovered. Trouba and Lindgren blocked shots, and Quick stopped a Pasternak one-timer, keeping the game tied. Boston continued to pressure at even strength, but a Cuylle block on Hampus Lindholm and a Quick stick stop on Marchand kept them at bay.
With 3:58 left, Ian Mitchell high-sticked Jimmy Vesey in front of the net. The delayed penalty allowed an extra skater to join New York’s attack. They kept the Bruins from establishing possession of the puck for 50 seconds. The relentless forechecking paid off when a bleeding Vesey chipped home a Vincent Trocheck rebound after a feed from Artemi Panarin. The blood on his face gave the Rangers a power play, turning the penalty into a double minor.
Things opened up again, and Boston nearly took advantage when a Charlie Coyle takeaway led to a Brandon Carlo chance, which Quick stopped. Then, with 26 seconds left, Trouba forced a turnover, leading to Kreider finding Zibaejad up the ice. He dropped it back for a K’Andre Miller rifle, which beat Ullmark high glove, sending the crowd into a frenzy and giving the Rangers a 5-3 lead through two periods.