The Boston Bruins lost Game No. 2 of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Ottawa Senators in a 4-3 overtime decision.
Boston took Game 1 of the series in comeback fashion, but the Senators returned the favor with a comeback win of their own.
Once again both teams came out defensive, resulting in another scoreless first period. Both teams would then proceed crank up the offense in the second period and Drew Stafford opened the scoring early in the period, giving Boston a 1-0 lead.
Immediately after the score, Frank Vatrano was sent to the penalty box for tripping Senators’ Ryan Dzingel. The Sens would capitalize on the power play and tie the game 1-1.
The Bruins followed the goal by immediately returning to the penalty kill, however this time they took the lead while undermanned. In a strange sequence, Tim Schaller caught Craig Anderson out of position and retook the lead for the Bruins with a short handed goal.
The penalty filled second period didn’t end there, minutes later Chris Wideman was sent to the box for tripping David Pastrnak. The Bruins took advantage and added to their lead with a strike from Patrice Bergeron.
The Bruins went into the third period with a 3-1 lead and were feeling good about themselves, but the Senators came out of the break firing on all cylinders.
The Senators quickly tied the game 3-3 with goals from Chris Wideman and Derick Brassard.
Regulation wasn’t enough to decide the game however as the two teams headed into overtime tied 3-3.
The Bruins closed regulation with a delay of game penalty by Zdeno Chara. This forced them to start the OT period undermanned.
The Bruins managed to kill of the penalty, but Dion Phaneuf’s goal won the game for the Senators and capped their comeback and tie the series at 1-1.
Boston came into the game already down three starting defenseman and they were dealt yet another blow as Adam McQuaid left the game with an upper body injury and did not return.
Through the first five periods of the series Boston’s blue line woes were almost unnoticeable, but the injuries started to catch up to them down the stretch in Game No. 2.
The Bruins return home to TD Garden for Game No. 3, Mon. at 7 p.m.
