Bruins Feed On Trash Oilers, Trade For Nick Holden
Bs fans who stayed up late last night were rewarded thanks to another gutsy, hard-fought effort from the Black and Gold, as they scored three third period goals to beat the Oilers, 3-2. Down 2-0 going into the third, the Bs looked like they were going to have their second hiccup in the first three games of this roadie. But the Bs just didn’t stop coming and got three goals roughly seven minutes apart to send the NHL’s biggest disappointment this season to yet another loss.
But the comeback probably never happens if Anton Khudobin doesn’t make this phenomenal save on Connor McDavid…
Dobby’s game-changing save kept the Bs within a pair and gave them a fighting chance in the third (the Oilers were 13-0-0 when leading after two going into the game). Noel Acciari (7), Matt Grzelcyk (2), and David Krejci (11) provided the offense for the Bs, with the winner coming with just 1:04 left thanks to yet another great pass from Danton Heinen (his 27th helper).
That was a sharp call by Bruce Cassidy putting Krejci with David Backes and Heinen. The coach said that 46’s wings weren’t having a great night so he slid the center into Riley Nash’s spot and it led to the game-winner.
After the first two periods, things weren’t looking so hot in the game or for the five game road trip. Add in the fact that the Lighting already won their game and it looked like Tuesday would be another forgettable night. But as this squad has been doing all year, they don’t quit.
They outshot the Oilers 45-20. They stuck to their game. They got two huge points. As a result, they remain just one point behind division/league-leading Tampa Bay with two games in hand. This shit is far from over. Next up are the Leafs Saturday night in Toronto.
A few more buds for your bowl…
*The Bruins made a move to shore up their defensive depth for the playoff run by acquiring pending UFA defenseman Nick Holden from the Rangers for prospect Rob O’Gara and a 3rd rounder. My man 610 did a great job scouting Holden in his blog yesterday (and he’s obviously seen a lot more of Holden than I have):
“he’ll stink a lot less as a versatile #6 on a solid squad as opposed to a #2 on arguably the worst defensive team in the league. Holden can play right or left side and has experience playing special teams & bigger minutes should an injury in Boston occur. He doesn’t play as rugged as Adam McQuaid (I’m simply guessing who he’ll replace) but he did lead the Rangers in hits & is certainly more mobile.”
I’m fine with sending a 3rd and O’Gara for him. I’d prefer that to paying a king’s ransom (i.e. Jake DeBrusk) for Ryan McDonagh. Given the organizational depth on D, O’Gara wasn’t going to be seeing a top-six role with the big club and the Bs needed to sweeten the pot so the 2011 5th rounder was sent to Manhattan where he’ll get a much better chance to stick with the big club.
Obviously you want to go into the playoffs with the best unit you can. But it’s worth remembering that the Penguins won the Cup with what they had last year. Guys just needed to be solid, not spectacular, and it got the job done.
*The team might be waiting to see what Ryan Donato wants to do before pulling the trigger on a move for a forward. He may want to finish his college season with his father/coach and teammates and graduate in May. But his unranked Harvard squad needs to win their conference tourney just to get into the NCAA tourney and a natty doesn’t look in the cards. If Donato thinks he’s ready to go pro, he could do what his father did 26 years ago and go from chasing gold to chasing a Cup with the Bruins. It sure would be a hell of a story. Donato was clearly the best American forward on the ice and he certainly looks ready to at least give it a whirl with the Bs. Adding him around the deadline and not having to give up a thing would be huge for the Bs. Either way, look for the Bruins to have another forward on the roster for the stretch run.
*Nash had another great game and has made much more of a difference this season than he did in his first year here. That’s not to say he was bad last year—he wasn’t. But he’s already surpassed his point total by 11 points in 24 fewer games this season with 10-18–28 totals in 57 games played. This helper on Grizzy’s goal was nice.
*The Oilers got absolutely dribbled at the dot, losing at a 66-34 clip. Sean Kuraly’s 60% winning rate was the team low for the Bs.
*The Bruins are 13-1-2 in their last 16 road games.