If they beat the Edmonton Oilers and the precise issues broke their manner, the Boston Bruins might have clinched a playoff spot on Thursday. Instead, the Oilers surged again from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Bruins 3-2, ending Boston’s profitable streak at 10 video games and suspending their postseason qualification.
This marks the primary time this season that the Bruins misplaced in regulation after constructing a first-period lead. Boston hadn’t misplaced in any respect since dropping a 2-1 resolution to the Capitals on Feb. 11.
Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak scored two objectives within the opening body, however the Oilers wouldn’t go away. Impressively, Edmonton beat Boston regardless of Connor McDavid being held off the scoresheet. Evan Bouchard collected the one objective of the second interval on a damaged play and Ryan McLeod tied issues up within the third interval. Darnell Nurse notched the game-winner with lower than 5 minutes remaining to finish the comeback.
Oilers gearing up for playoffs, Bruins might nonetheless make historical past
On paper, the Oilers have confronted a reasonably powerful schedule, so their latest robust play (two straight wins, victories in 4 of 5) conjures up some actual optimism. During that five-game span, they beat the Maple Leafs, Sabres, cut up two conferences with the Jets, and now personal this win over the Bruins. With the remainder of the Pacific Division additionally heating up, the Oilers could not have the ability to make it into that high three, however their grip is strengthening on the highest wild-card spot with 80 factors in 66 video games performed.
Stranger issues have occurred, nevertheless it positive appears to be like like Edmonton will make the playoffs, to allow them to intention at fine-tuning as a lot as the rest.
Naturally, it’s not the top of the world for the Bruins. While they might’ve wanted some dominoes to fall to clinch a playoff spot on Thursday, it’s only a matter of time earlier than they lock up nearly every thing, together with the Presidents’ Trophy. From a daily season perspective, they’re largely simply chasing historical past.
For occasion, they’ll nonetheless turn out to be the quickest workforce to 50 wins in a daily season. Back in 2018-19, the Tampa Bay Lightning tied the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings by profitable 50 of 66 video games performed. The Bruins might set that document in the event that they win certainly one of two video games in a back-to-back weekend set towards Detroit. Failing that, the Bruins might tie the mark by beating the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.
So, the Oilers spoiled the social gathering a bit for the Bruins, however this sport is likely to be most fascinating if these two groups handle to satisfy once more within the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. That’s not such an outrageous thought contemplating how robust each groups take care of the commerce deadline.
