With their first game in 16 days since dropping the second of two games in a week, the Boston Bruins overcame a 3-1 third period deficit to grab a 4-3 overtime win at home for a crucial two points.
Charlie Coyle (East Weymouth, Mass.) took a Brad Marchand pass 30 seconds into the extra session and fired the puck over goalie Ukko Pekka Lukkonen’s glove to bring cheers raining down at the TD Garden after boos had followed the home team off the ice after the second period. Goals by Craig Smith, Nick Foligno (his first in Boston) and Taylor Hall, got Boston to the extra session, providing some important offense from secondary sources. Foligno and Hall in particular were two forwards who needed to come through for their team more than others, so when Nos. 17 and 71 tallied 1:25 apart to eras the two-goal deficit, there was a feeling that the Bruins weren’t going to lose this game.
The B’s hit the road immediately after the contest to travel to Detroit, where they will begin a week chock full of games in what will be a heavy January schedule that will test the team’s depth and mettle.
Five important developments in the first half of 2022 will likely shape and define the present and future of the Bruins organization. From the recent layoff, to a familiar face potentially back in the fold, and more potential trade options to improve the B's, the team is at a key crossroads as we step forward into the new year.
How the team’s management and players respond to some unique challenges that haven’t been an issue for Boston since Bruce Cassidy took the reins from Claude Julien in early 2017 will be harbingers for the short and long-term outlook of this franchise.
