Recap: Anaheim 4-Boston 3: Battle of the Backups

First Period:

In a rather surprising move, Carlyle changed the look of both power play units. Perry was moved to the second unit with Vermette and Silfverberg, and Theodore was promoted to the first flipping with Vatanen. It was strange to see Perry demoted after finally breaking through in the goal-scoring department. However, this experiment may not be long term as Perry is the team’s best right wing. His creativity and puck retrieval skills are vital to the first power play unit’s success.

Later in the period, Silfverberg had a partial breakaway opportunity. In great news he actually hit the net with a shot directed between Khudobin’s blocker arm and body. Soon later he led a two on one and took a clapper right to Dooby’s chest, which isn’t ideal to goal scoring. Still, it was great to see Silfverberg continue to create scoring chances.

Zdeno Chara opened the scoring with a shot at 12:07. A defensive breakdown led to Fowler having to switch to the point and leaving Bergeron free to screen Bernier. Hey, shoutout to all you coaches out there. If your team gets scored on, don’t follow that by putting out your forth line to create energy. The Bruins quickly made it 2-0 fourteen seconds later.

The Ducks “responded” by the Bruins scoring on themselves twenty-four seconds later. The goal was ultimately credited to Andrew Cogliano. What an exciting minute of hockey.

Somehow all of this wasn’t even the most exciting portion of the period. Kevin Bieksa took a penalty (crazy I know) and as he left the box he was hit with a Getzlaf breakaway pass. Anaheim fans rejoiced as he actually scored but the Bruins quickly challenged. At first look it seemed as if Bieksa drew himself offside by stickhandling at the blue line. Luckily the goal stood. Things didn’t get any less exciting on the next shift. Vermette casually high-sticked a Bruin sending him crashing into Bernier. With our goalie down and out, Bieksa’s man was able to get the puck into the net. As Bernier was impaired from making a play on the puck the goal was immediately waved off.

What a period.

Second Period:

Only fifty-five seconds into the period, Josh Manson extended the lead to 3-2 with assists from Silf and Rakell. Silfverberg was instrumental in creating offense tonight and had a great game.

David Krejci scored less than two minutes later on a Boston power play off of a rebound goal. The puck trickled past Vatanen and Fowler leading to an easy conversion.

Rickard Rakell cannot be stopped. Three minutes after the Krecji goal, Rakell got a rebound of his own and fired it into the Boston net. This made the game 4-3 in favor of Anaheim.

The rest of the period was filled with a myriad of scoring chances. After a perfect pass, Fowler carried the puck into the slot and ripped a shot off the post. Getzlaf had a chance of his own later in the period but also caught the post. The Bruins wanted to get in on the fun and almost capitalized on a poor Ducks’ line change. Pasternak had a breakaway chance but lost his footing and was forced to take a weak shot on Bernier.

Third Period:

The Ducks’ turtle started promptly four minutes into the period. In fact, they only attempted four shots after that mark. On the other hand, in those last sixteen minutes the Bruins had thirty-two. Ouch. Needless to say Anaheim did not play their best period. If the Ducks wanted to keep their one goal lead intact Jonathan Bernier needed to have a stellar period, and that is exactly what he did. Bernier stopped all eleven shots he saw to get Anaheim a much needed two points in the standings. The final score was 4-3.

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Anaheim will be back in action Saturday in Detroit against the Red Wings. It will most likely be their last ever game at Joe Louis Arena. Try not to get too choked up out there, Anaheim fans.