The big man returned last night. Even though there were no fans in attendance, Zdeno Chara got his tribute video.
OUCH. pic.twitter.com/5tqSrGFaAi
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) March 4, 2021
Last night’s game was a chippy, defensive effort on each side that resulted in a game that was scoreless through two. That wasn’t for a lack of trying: both the Bruins and the Capitals had some good chances. The Capitals had a goal for a few seconds before it was challenged by the Bruins and called back for being offside.
Explanation of Coach’s Challenge at 10:51 of the first period in the @Capitals / @NHLBruins game.https://t.co/Ls1yXcFiey
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 4, 2021
Pasta had a beautiful breakaway with a shot that bounced off the post twice, into the back of Vitek Vanacek and out of the net area.
David Pastrnak comes thiiiiiiis close to scoring.
Nice feed from Grzelcyk to set up the chance. pic.twitter.com/nLJmI1lUmM
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) March 4, 2021
This was set up by Matt Grzelcyk, who was back in the lineup for the first time since since February 10th.
A nice feed from Grzelcyk to set up Pastrnak’s chance. pic.twitter.com/S7QRBR1QSN
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) March 4, 2021
Early in the game, things heated up between the two teams. Trent Frederic was trying to make all sorts of friends that he could play punchyface with.
Trent Frederic and Nic Dowd exchange pleasantries. pic.twitter.com/KdpkSHtKZJ
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) March 4, 2021
Late in the second period, David Pastrnak showed that he can play defense as well.
David Pastrnak breaks up a 2-on-1 chance for Washington with a great backcheck effort. pic.twitter.com/2nUdexZa4e
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) March 4, 2021
Finally, in the third, the Bruins scored the first goal.
Brad Marchand forces the turnover and sets up David Pastrnak’s 10th goal of the season.
1-0 Boston. pic.twitter.com/6YRiUs8hff
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) March 4, 2021
Tuukka Rask was playing great. The whole team was, with some mistakes that barely cost them anything until the third period when a turnover turned into a Lars Eller goal.
The puck is under Tuukka.
Tuukka. Rask. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/rvZM30vsJT
— Bruins Diehards (@BruinsDiehards) March 4, 2021
Zdeno Chara was not afraid to show former teammate Patrice Bergeron the ice. The beautiful game.
Life comes at you fast. pic.twitter.com/BUJ2vH5lHu
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) March 4, 2021
Freddy, wanted to make a new friend in Alex Ovechkin earlier in the period but Ovi declined or warned him to knock it off. Later, Freddy was yapping, cross-checked him then Ovi performed a cup check.
OUCH. pic.twitter.com/5tqSrGFaAi
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) March 4, 2021
Both went to the box. It’s pretty clever of the third line n00b to take out the reigning Rocket Richard co-winner.
The game being tied in the third, ended up going through 3-on-3 OT, and finally the shootout, which was the end for the Bruins chances of winning. Still, one point is better than no points.
It’s a shame the B’s couldn’t score on Vanacek because Tuukka wanted to win this game. He made some real stunning saves.
26° and flurries… typical day in Monrovia. Not going above freezing until tuesday
Frederic last night was something

The T-Freddy show is quickly becoming half the joy of watching the Bruins this season.
Tinordi looked okay. He throws his weight around… That’s good!
Yeah, he seemed ok. Didn’t like what I saw on the no-goal, but I think that was mostly Cliffy leaving half the ice open for an opponent to receive a pass. He sometimes reminds me of little kids playing soccer, where they all run around in a clump, chasing the ball rather than running ahead to receive or block a pass.
I’m curious to see more of Tinordi.
Herd hockey!!!
Looked like another decent effort. Yet another blackout game for me unfortunately – British TV been on a Bruins fest lately! Why does Pierre insist on calling him “Tommy” Wilson? Super annoying!
Only nine shots through two periods?
Pierre is super annoying.
Fair point! Hahaha
Hi Pals!
Ovie should get suspended for that spear night in the ruts.
Good game, good effort. Need to beat them Friday!
What’s the penalty for “Low-Sticking” ?
The ref called a “slashing” minor, but that was obviously textbook spearing.
I had to look up the rule on spearing – I’m so unused to seeing it (and I haven’t read the rulebook in a while so I’ve been losing details). The NHL awards a double-minor on an attempted spear (or butt-end) and a major + game misconduct on a successful spear.
That should have been an extended power play and Ovi in the dressing room. Instead it was matching penalties. Bruins got screwed on that one.* Supplemental discipline is definitely in order.
(*but as GH points out above – any time one of your bottom-6 scrubs can take keep your opponent’s leading scorer off the ice is a windfall – if only the Bs could have generated more offense)
The post above should be read as this:

Obviously Stripes knows the rules 10x better than me! I was just ranting.
To continue a little… NHL refs definitely like to proactively round infractions down – especially for star players. I wouldn’t mind seeing a little less of that. One thing I’ve become painfully aware of from watching the NWHL is how resistant the NHL officials are to assigning a penalty to a team on the PK. One practically has to take someone’s head off to go to the box while your team is a man down. Meanwhile, the NWHL sends teams to the 5-on-3 all the time. It seems like half the goals in that league are scored 5-on-3. It’s probably excessive, so I can see why the NHL tries to avoid it, but I think they go too far.
Rules change and I’m already a lil rusty, so your knowledge is probably equal or better than mine now. The point you make is accurate.
Also, when is a penalty not a penalty? When your team is already shorthanded.
I’m no fan of the argument, cos you can never say for sure, but you’ve got to think Frederic would’ve been more harshly penalised if that had been the other way round.