Canucks at Bruins

Apologies for chasing the game here … my brother flew in from Florida – he’s in the balcony tonight – but the Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks are scoreless after one period of play at TD Garden.

No first-period penalties, but the Bruins amassed a 9-3 shots advantage through one, and they generated several scoring chances since I got into the building midway through the period. Finnish 29yo Kevin Lankinen has been calm under fire.

Only Vancouver’s defensemen have played more so far than Brock Boeser, who had been out with a concussion since a Nov. 7 hit by Tanner Jeannot.

Jeremy Swayman gets another start, as it’s become clear that interim coach Joe Sacco intends to give the star goalie the lion’s share, despite Joonas Korpisalo’s excellent body of work.

SECOND PERIOD

The Bruins are also dominant on the dot so far, winning nearly two out of every three faceoffs.

David Pastrnak in cleanly, tries to soft-pedal the backhand through the wickets, but Lankinen closes the door. Bruins follow-up whacks come oh, so close.

Here’s another chance for Mark Kastelic cutting across boldly. As Doc Emrick often said, “It wouldn’t go!”

Another patient zone entry, Pastrnak find Pavel Zacha bearing down the slot, but he’s crowded and Lankinen easily smothers his attempt.

Brad Marchand off for tripping at 4:05. Canucks to the powerplay. Fans don’t like the call.

Former Bruin Jake DeBrusk taps home a Quinn Hughes rebound at 5:53 for a powerplay goal that gives the visitors a 1-0 lead. More boos, more for DeBrusk than the call on Marchand I would think (Boston fans are not that sophisticated).

Hold on, video review … might be to check off to see if a Canuck batted down the puck with his hockey glove to DeBrusk (that would be a hand pass), but they call it a good goal. 1-0 Vancouver.

Canucks back to the powerplay for delay of game (unsuccessful challenge … Morgan Geekie serves). Bruins get this kill but now face a D-zone faceoff, having iced the puck on the transition shift.

The Canucks press the attack after Kastelic turns over the puck trying to get too fancy with a between-the-legs backhand pass meant to cut the traffic and get the Bruins an easy out. The puck hit a skate, but Swayman gobbled up the ensuing shot.

9:09 left in the second, Vancouver up 1-0 on DeBrusk’s PPG tap-in.

Charlie McAvoy, playing his most opportunistic hockey of the season in these eyes, darts through traffic for a shot on Lankinen, then Mason Lohrei helps the Bruins sustain pressure leading to a minor on Boeser. Bruins to the powerplay.

The first unit sustains pressure, but the shots are not clean. On comes the second unit …

Andrew Peeke from the point, save, then Filip Hronek pushes on Kastelic … that almost ignites because Kastelic never lets his opponent get in the last (Kaste)lic.

3:46 remaining in the second, but the Bruins have life, so this is what coaches refer to when talking about getting momentum off their powerplay. In this case, the powerplay was a bit of momentum following a strong 5v5 shift.

Faceoff RW corner in the Vancouver zone.

The Bruins took their sweet ol’ time getting done with the informal meeting at the bench. They win the draw, but Lankinen gloves Nikita Zadorov’s slapper from the left point.

The Bruins looked to apply pressure, but defenseman Quinn Hughes scrambled to elude the forecheckers and maintain possession, even if he wound up on his knees for a split second. Terrific recovery but an elite talent.

The period ends 1-0 Canucks. The Bruins are outshooting Vancouver through two periods, 20-9.

THIRD PERIOD

The Canucks have been a resilient road team this season in part because of their excellent play along the halfwall, both in defensive and offensive zones. It’s been especially difficult for the Bruins to establish puck possessions in the attacking zone when the puck gets to those areas.

The Bruins get their best chance on a deflected point shot, after which Dakota Joshua took a roughing minor for pushing off Justin Brazeau’s helmet during the rebound scramble. Bruins to the powerplay.

Pavel Zacha open, save Lankinen. Good when he’s had to be.

Vancouver gets the kill, as the Bruins’ second unit cannot win the puck in the attacking zone. Frederic is changing and a clearing pass hits his skate and stops at the Boston bench. Whistle blows, TV timeout. Nothing on the penalty board. Not sure why the play was flagged.

OK, 5v5 faceoff neutral zone. (Thought they might be calling too many men on Boston, but that was not the case.)

Bruins press on, Lankinen stands tall in the Vancouver net (30 saves tonight with 11 minutes left in regulation).

Delayed tripping penalty on Boeser (took down Pastrnak behind the Vancouver net). Bruins go into old-school delayed-penalty mode and make some scary back passes. These days, a team going on the powerplay automatically starts the man advantage with an attacking-zone faceoff. They turn it over at their own line, but the free pass starts the PP in the attacking zone.

Left circle, Zacha pulling to the point against Teddy Blueger. Here goes … Pius Suter gets a stick ahead of McAvoy and out of play, so we’ll do it RW dot. Elias Lindholm vs. Blueger. Two wins for Lindholm – he’s been excellent of late – but the Canucks clear the rebound.

Having ditched the too-popular drop-pass rush, the Bruins are suddenly gaining the offensive zone with consistency. Lindholm tips a shot on Lankinen, who is well positioned to snuff it out.

Vancouver gets the kill but not before Elias Petterson’s flub adds more pressure by the Bruins.

Under seven minutes …

The refs take a long look at Hronek’s flip over the side glass, but none of the TV angles available on the NESN telecast can prove it missed the glass entirely. No evidence, no penalty (I think the Canucks got away with one there).

The Bruins got sloppy and almost gifted DeBrusk an insurance goal. The Canucks are doing a great job countering Boston’s late-game rushes, and when they don’t get a turnover they’ve been really effective getting bodies in the path of Boston’s first forecheckers.

Final minute, Swayman to the bench. Vancouver ices it at the net, misses. Faceoff in the Canucks’ end with 36.4 seconds.

Joe Sacco uses his one and only.

Lindholm wins another draw, big chance for the Bruins doesn’t go. McAvoy fans at the point, Conor Garland hits the empty net with 12.5.

Vancouver wins, 2-0.

Fans are booing, but this was a solid effort from the home team.

Drive safely.