In Boston, regulation was a tale of thees. The visiting Vegas Golden Knights took a 3-0 lead in the second period on Monday over the Bruins.
The Bruins replied with two goals in the middle frame, and Taylor Hall’s power play goal with just over three minutes gone in the third to tie the game, 3-3, and eventually force extra time, which solved nothing.
“That’s probably the way our streak was going to end,” Hall said. “We battled back, we do everything we can to try and win the game, and ultimately a good team won against us.”
Reilly Smith scored the only goal on penalties to give the Knights a 4-3 win.
The loss snapped the Bruins’ opening streak at home at 14 games.
“This is a great group of players to coach,” Boston coach Jim Montgomery said. “They never quit, they never stop playing, they never stop believing. Down 3-0, we didn’t start on time, that’s unfortunate. We got beat through the middle of the ice too often tonight. That usually doesn’t happen to us.”
Logan Thompson made 40 saves in the Vegas win.
“To be honest, I thought he was going blocker,” Thompson said. “And then he, last second, I was able to flick my hand up. It always feels good being able to make those saves, and I’m already in the game. It gets you more into it, for sure.”
The Golden Knights improved to 19-7-1.
“They were resilient tonight,” Cassidy said. “You get a lead, you want to be able to protect it obviously, but I think there were some circumstances tonight. We’re at the end of the road trip, there’s some fatigue in our group. … [We had] to manage and keep our emotions in check and just get back to the game.”
Paul Cotter had two goals for the Knights in regulation, his first strike gave them a 1-0 lead in the first period.
“That many games in a row without a point is unacceptable,” Cotter said. “I mean, it’s going to happen; it’s my first year. But if I play my game, I’m sure I should be able to get points, whether it’s a weird tip-in or battle in front.”
In the middle frame, Johnathan Marchessault pushed the lead to 2-0, before Cotter hit for his second of the game and a 3-0 advantage.
“I just saw that Pastrnak was looking at the [defensemen] sometimes on the breakout,” Marchessault said. “I was just trying to cut that play off, and no, I’m just pretty disappointed I missed my first shot there.”
The Bruins’ rally started on a goal from Brad Marchand at 13:46 to shave the deficit to two, 3-1.
David Pastrnak pulled the Bruins to within one head ed to the third period, 3-2.
His goal came with 25 seconds left in the second period.
Boston dropped to 20-3-1.
Smith was the only striker through rounds of penalty shots.
“Obviously playing with those two (Chandler Stephenson and Stone), it’s going to be pretty easy to get opportunities, and I cashed in on a few,” Cotter said. “I think I should have had six tonight, but no, it was good to get some confidence going.”
Jeremy Swayman made 22 saves in the Boston loss.
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