Recap: Geekie leads Bruins to 3-1 win over Avalanche
Yesterday at 08:04 PM
Morgan Geekie continued his hot streak with two goals in the third to help the Bruins bounce back and win.
Morgan Geekie scored twice as the Boston Bruins bounced back in the third period to score three unanswered goals and top the Colorado Avalanche, 3-1, Saturday afternoon at the TD Garden.
After being outshot and down by one score going into the final frame, a big penalty kill which carried over 9 seconds into the period had David Pastrnak fresh out of the box to find Morgan Geekie in the slot and turn the game around.
"In the third, we were more desperate," Nikita Zadorov said. "We are fighting for a playoff spot in here. We're fighting for points."
Pastrnak then connected with Geekie again to give the Bruins the lead before Pastrnak added his own empty-net goal for the win.
While the Bruins capitalized on a quick start in the third and the chemistry of the Pavel Zacha, Geekie and Pastrnak line, their offense was nearly nonexistent through 40 minutes.
Despite a big trade last night, Colorado didn't seem to miss a beat with new additions Martin Necas and Jack Drury to its roster. The Avalanche showed its speed and its elite players sustained o-zone time, beating the Bruins to the puck.
Artturi Lehkonen netted the Avalanche's goal 90 seconds into the second period, scoring his team's lone goal, despite outshooting the Bruins 28 to 15 overall — and 19 to 8 through 40 minutes.
Jeremy Swayman made 27 saves in the win after leaving Wednesday's game with an upper-body issue.
Here are the highlights!
First period:
Scoreless
Bruins outshot 12-5 in the frame
Second period:
From the right-wing circle, Artturi Lehkonen beat Jeremy Swayman's blocker after a nifty backhanded pass from Juuso Parssinen at 1:30 of the second period. 1-0 Avalanche.
Third period:
Fresh out of the box, David Pastrnak found Morgan Geekie in the slot for a one-timer past Scott Wedgewood at 25 seconds into the third period. 1-1 game.
Geekie struck again with great positioning at the paint and far post to slide in Pastrnak's pass at 5:44 of the third period. 2-1 Bruins.
Game notes
- It might be safe to say that the Geekie, Pastrnak and Zacha line has been feeling it these last handful of games. And the three have pulled away some games for the Bruins with their chemistry.
- Geekie is now on a three-game goal streak and has goals in four of his last five games. Interim head coach said good things happen when a player starts feel confident and finds success in their game.
- "I think he's seeing it offensively right now," Sacco said about Geekie. "The line has developed some chemistry here in the last little while. They're finding their spots...reading off each other...(Geekie) He's finishing his chances."
- The Bruins penalty kill came up big and when it needed to. Zadorov said postgame while he think the penalty kill has been good this year, he thinks it can be hot or cold, either giving up three goals or none. "I feel like it's never been one or two goals." He said when they are dialed in and know their spots, that's when they succeed on the kill.
- Zadorov soundbite when asked if the team embraces having to fight for a playoff spot after he stressed the desperation the Bruins came out with in the third period: "You have to face the reality once in a while right?. "I'm not going to miss the playoffs. That's why I'm here. I'm here to play playoff hockey with the Boston Garden buzzing in the playoff hockey. That's definitely a situation for us...I mean you guys are doing a good job writing us off so I think that's actual motivation for this group."
- The Bruins will travel on Tuesday to face the Buffalo Sabres at 7 p.m.
