Bruins Grab A Point in OT Loss to Edmonton

EDMONTON, Alberta- The Bruins accomplished much of what they set out to on Thursday night in Edmonton. After a subpar defensive effort in their loss to the Flames during the front end of the back-to-back, Boston was looking for a bounce-back effort.
They got one. To an extent.

The Bruins delivered a far better all-around effort - and at times, particularly in the first period, dominated the play - but ultimately settled for a 3-2 overtime loss to the Oilers at Rogers Place.
"I thought we played well enough to win," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "You can talk about the circumstances, their home opener, they're sitting here waiting for us. But at the end of the day, I thought we played well enough to win.
"It went down to the wire, they made a play, their best player, good back check, picked off a pass and from there we were kind of holding our breath, hoping we'd get out of it, but he made his play so full marks to him."

David Pastrnak's eighth of the year tied the game midway through the third and ultimately sent things to an extra session, where just 37 seconds in Connor McDavid set up Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for the winner.
"I think we responded well at the end," said Jaroslav Halak, who made 19 saves. "We got a goal back, we kept it in the zone, we just couldn't bury that one. In overtime they made a good play. If you give them a chance, they'll most likely score."
Boston came out with what was close to a stellar first period, outshooting the Oilers, 12-5. But several missed opportunities at the offensive end left them without a goal.
"I think we could have really set ourselves up well to play real solid hockey after that with a lead. Didn't happen," said Cassidy. "Give their goalie credit, [Cam Talbot's] a good goaltender…definitely some really good opportunities, didn't happen for us."

Eventually, the Bruins got on the board, taking a 1-0 lead on David Krejci's first of the season at 11:17 of the second. But just 2:07 later, Edmonton responded on Kailer Yamamoto's first career goal.
The Oilers benefitted from a whacky bounce off the end boards to grab a 2-1 lead on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' tally at 7:33 of the third, before Pastrnak's equalizer at 11:26.
"I thought we persevered," said Cassidy. "Got behind in the third. To score a goal on the road against a good team to tie the game I thought was a credit to our guys. Obviously we didn't get the win, but that's certainly a positive."

Happy Return

Danton Heinen was back in the lineup after two games as a healthy scratch and was solid in just under 17 minutes of ice time. The second-year winger played the left side with Krejci and Jake DeBrusk and was more of a presence both with and without the puck.
"I thought he was good, he was much harder on pucks," said Cassidy. "Those are details, something he's generally been good at for us. He's just been a little harder on the puck."
Heinen had a terrific shift to help set up Krejci's marker midway through the second period. After entering the zone with a strong forecheck, Heinen poked the puck away from an Edmonton defender and later scooped it up as it bounced through the high slot. He then dished it over to Matt Grzelcyk, who found Krejci backdoor to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead.

"Felt all right. Took a little bit just to get the legs back and then once I got in it was fine," said Heinen, whose assist on the goal was his first point of the season. "You never want to be out, but it's definitely a different perspective watching up there. But it gets you hungry and wanting to come back and battle with the guys. It was fun to be back in tonight. Tough we didn't get the win, but we'll bounce back."
The 22-year-old nearly put the Bruins ahead, 3-2, late in the third as he whacked away at a loose puck in the crease, but it just trickled wide before the net was knocked off its moorings.
"It was just a scramble," said Heinen. "I was jamming it right into his pad and then my stick got caught up and I tried to get it with my skate. It was just a scramble mess. Then the net came off. I didn't really see where the puck went. That would have been nice, for sure."

Bumps and Bruises

Kevan Miller blocked a shot late in the second period and did not return due to an upper-body injury. Cassidy did not have a further update after the game.
David Backes missed most of the first period after taking a high hit from Edmonton defenseman Matt Benning. The forward retreated to the dressing room, before returning later in the frame but played only 6:28.
Cassidy said he opted to limit Backes' minutes after the hit to protect him, but expects Backes to be ready to go on Saturday night in Vancouver.