The Bruins were looking to even the series after dropping the past two games in overtime. In the first period, the Bruins came out ready to go and were buzzing. Brad Marchand was all over the ice and had a breakaway off an Erik Karlsson turnover. Marchand was turned aside as he tried to go five hole on Senators goalie Craig Anderson.
This was a sign early that Anderson was ready to play. Late in the period, Anderson faced a three on one, but was able to make the save on Ryan Spooner. Marchand also had another opportunity as he got behind the defense and got a pass from Patrice Bergeron. Marchand skated in, but put his head down for a second and allowed Anderson to come sprawling out and make the desperation save.
After a scoreless first, the Bruins were looking to crack Anderson in the second. They got their first powerplay of the game as Alexandre Burrows sat for interference. The powerplay could not convert and the game remained scoreless.
The Bruins thought they had their first goal of the game halfway through the second period as Noel Acciari deflected a shot from Charlie McAvoy past Anderson for the 1-0 lead. Guy Boucher challenged the play for offsides. After the review, the goal was called back as Acciari was offsides on the initial rush.
The third period started as both teams still could not put a puck into the back of the net. Unfortunately for the Bruins, the Sens top players finally put one past Tuukka Rask. Karlsson, who has been the best player of the series, was able to fire a shot pass to forward Bobby Ryan. Ryan was able to tuck it past Rask for his third goal of the series to give the Sens a 1-0 lead in the third.
The Bruins played an ugly third period and went a very long stretch without even getting a shot on goal against the Sens 1-3-1 system. The Bruins finally got some offensive zone time as the third was winding down and pulled Rask. The best chance to tie it came off the stick of Marchand once again. After a shot from the point was deflected, Marchand corralled the rebound, but could not beat a sprawling Anderson.
Bruins could not get the equalizer and now are on the brink of elimination. The Senators came into Boston and took two for the commanding 3-1 series lead. The Bruins will try and extend the series as they travel back to Ottawa on Friday night. Puck drop is at 7:30PM.
