BUFFALO, NY – The Boston Bruins are now 52-71-1 when facing elimination, and they will do so again on Friday night.
They beat the Buffalo Sabres last night, picking up a road win in overtime. It was the third meeting between these two teams to go beyond 60 minutes, but the first one of the playoffs. Matter of fact, it was the Bruins’ first playoff overtime since they played the Maple Leafs in Game 7… anyone remember who connected on the game-winner?
Those same two guys did it again last night, but this time, it did not send the Bruins through to the second round.
Elsewhere around the league, another team saved its season by forcing a Game 6, and the Minnesota Wild jumped to a series lead. All three games were game fives yesterday, and no teams moved on to Round 2.
In other news, there was a scare after the Oilers’ captain did not participate in their morning skate, but he ended up logging 24:09 of ice time in their Game 5.
The three finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award were announced yesterday, and a short-tenured Bruin may be on his way to the KHL.
Happy Wednesday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:
BRUINS WIN: The Bruins (2-3) fought off elimination last night and forced a Game 6 against the Buffalo Sabres (3-2). Jeremy Swayman made 24 saves, Elias Lindholm tied the game with a goal in the second period, but no goal was bigger than David Pastrnak‘s game-winner.
BREAK APART: Backs against the wall, and a familiar connection shows up. Marco Sturm has also called on his best players to show up this series, and says it starts with his leadership group. How does two of the assistant captains connecting for the overtime winner sound? Sturm was pretty happy, especially for Pastrnak.
NHL (video via YouTube): Here is Pastrnak’s game-winner.
Dallas Hockey Now: After a 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild last night, the Dallas Stars are facing elimination. The winner of this series awaits the Colorado Avalanche. Pat Pickens has more on last night’s game.
Sportsnet: The Oilers willed their way to a Game 5 win on home ice last night, beating the Ducks 4-1 to save their season. They ended Lukas Dostal’s night early; he got the hook after allowing three goals in 10:13.
The news throughout the day was Connor McDavid. He did not participate in the Oilers’ morning skate and was announced as a game-time decision.
After the game, McDavid told TNT that he was “never close” to not playing.
NHL.com: The three finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award, given to the most outstanding player in the NHL as voted on by members of the NHLPA, were announced on Tuesday. Connor McDavid, Nikita Kucherov, and Macklin Celebrini were named finalists.
Celebrini would be the first San Jose Sharks player to win the award.
Belarus Hockey: Remember him? Bruins legend Vladislav Kolyachonok might be returning to the KHL. His KHL rights belong to Dynamo Minsk, but Traktor Chelyabinsk is interested, as is CSKA Moscow. Dynamo and Traktor had a trade in place, but did not submit it in time, and Kolyachonok’s rights did not get moved.
Canadiens at Lightning, Game 5 – 7:00 PM (US: ESPN 2; CA: CBC, SN, TVA)
Penguins at Flyers, Game 6 – 7:30 PM (US: TNT, HBO; CA: SN360, TVA)
Mammoth at Golden Knights, Game 5 – 10:00 PM (US: TNT, HBO; CA: SN, SN360, TVA)