In a Friday matinee, in Boston, the visiting Carolina Hurricanes grabbed a 2-0 lead over the Bruins in the first period, and like so many before them, coughed up those two goals in a 3-2 loss in overtime.
For the Bruins, it was their 12th straight at home to start a season, a new NHL record.
David Pastrnak hit for a power play goal 3:19 into the extra session for the win.
“This is [an] Original Six (team), so any record you make as a team is special, just because it’s such a long history,” Pastrnak said. “We were obviously aware of it, and this group is great. We took it over in the third period because we were playing [the] right way, I think 5-on-5 in the first two periods, so I think we tired them [out] a little bit.”
Linus Ullmark got the start for the Bruins and made 28 saves into the seventh minute of the third period, he left the ice with an apparent injury.
Jeremy Swayman made six saves in relief, he was credited with the win..
“We stuck to the game plan,” Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron said. “We adjusted a few things, and you know, [Carolina’s] a good team. We know them well. We know they play hard and play fast, and it’s always a good challenge, so we knew we had our hands full, and it was a great game.”
Boston improved to 18-3-0.
“I liked the way we started,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said. “Then we got on our heels there in the last 10 minutes of the first. … Then we got to our offensive game in the offensive zone, and I thought that territorially — I don’t know it for sure — but it seemed like we were in their end the whole last 30 minutes.”
Carolina took the early lead on goals from Stefan Noesen and Jesperi Kotkaniemi in the opening period.
Kotkaniemi scored off a power play.
“We’re struggling pretty bad right now,” Kotkaniemi said. “But the 5-on-5 is kind of working pretty good, so we just need to stick with that and hopefully find the net.”
Carolina dropped to 10-6-5, and have lost five straight.
“We can’t take penalties at the end,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “Especially when it’s 4-on-3 and 5-on-3. We did a [heck] of a job, worked our butts off tonight, killed most of the penalties (4 of 6).”
David Krejci hit for a double in regulation for the Bruins, his second came midway through the third period to tie it, 2-2, and force the extra session.
“It’s never fun being down going into the third,” Krejci said. “We’re sitting in here trying to figure it out, but yeah, when [Montgomery mentioned the record], you kind of want to come out there and do the job. Something special on the line. It’s hard to win in this league and get 12 in a row at home, that’s pretty special.”
Pyotr Kochetkov made 38 saves in the Canes loss.
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