Kuraly, Bruins defeat Golden Knights

BOSTON-- It may not have been as important as Sean Kuraly's two goals in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but the 24-year-old rookie forward scored a big one for the Boston Bruins on Thursday.
Kuraly broke a tie at 9:53 of the third period with his first NHL goal to lift the Bruins to a 2-1 win against the Vegas Golden Knights at TD Garden.

Kuraly, playing his 19th NHL regular-season game, scored two goals -- including in overtime -- in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Ottawa Senators on April 21.
WATCH: All Golden Knights vs. Bruins highlights
He had two assists in 10 games this season entering Thursday.
The Bruins are without injured forwards David Krejci (lower body), David Backes (diverticulitis), Ryan Spooner (groin) and Noel Acciari (finger).
"Yeah, obviously it feels good," Kuraly said. "You know, my job is to play solid and consistent and chip in when I can, and obviously tonight it felt good to do that."
Before the goal, Bruins defenseman Torey Krug had two shots blocked, but the second one deflected to Jake DeBrusk. After DeBrusk's shot was stopped by Vegas goaltender Maxime Lagace (26 saves), Kuraly jammed in the rebound as he crashed into the right goal post.
"Those are the type of goals he's going to score," Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said. "He's not a guy that's going to come down the wing and inside out someone generally and blast it in. He'll track pucks down, loose pucks, breakaways, second chances. So good for him."
The Bruins (5-3-3) won for the first time in three games (1-0-2) and have earned at least one point in six straight games (3-0-3).

The Golden Knights (8-4-0) have lost three in a row to start a six-game road trip.
"I think the guys really battled against a good, strong Boston team," Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said. "You know it was a bounce here, a bounce there [that] was the difference in the game. So I think it was a really well played hockey game and well officiated game ... that we didn't get any points but we probably could've."
Riley Nash scored at 3:24 of the second period to give Boston a 1-0 lead. Nash hit the post after a rebound of a Torey Krug shot from the right point. Austin Czarnik's backhand hit Lagace, and Nash was stopped on his initial attempt before scoring on the rebound.
Cody Eakin tied the game 1-1 at 9:34 of the second after Nate Schmidt stole the puck from DeBrusk at the Bruins blue line. Schmidt set up Eakin for a one-timer from the right side of the slot.
Tuukka Rask made 28 saves for Boston.

Goal of the game

Kuraly's game-winning goal 9:53 into the third period.

Save of the game

Rask's stop on Jonathan Marchessault's backhand shot with 1:54 remaining.

Highlight of the game

Bruins defenseman Paul Postma kept the score tied 1-1 by clearing the puck off the goal line with two minutes remaining in the second period after William Carrier's shot got over Rask's right shoulder.

They said it

"I thought I was pretty calm in net. I felt confident, I thought I was aggressive on pucks and I guess they got two bounces their way and they went it. But the guys played really well tonight and it's unfortunate." -- Vegas goaltender Maxime Lagace, who made his second NHL start
"It was a very big goal. He scored that last one in the playoffs. He's had some chances and finally gets rewarded. I think everyone is just excited to see his celebrations after it because he likes to jump pretty high." -- Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask on Sean Kuraly

Need to know

The Golden Knights completed a season series with an opponent for the first time. They won the previous game with Boston 3-1 at T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 15. ... Kuraly is the fifth Bruins player to score his first NHL goal this season, joining Anders Bjork, Charlie McAvoy, DeBrusk and Danton Heinen.

What's next

Golden Knights:At the Ottawa Senators on Saturday (2 p.m. ET; TVA Sports 2, TSN5, ATTSN-RM, NHL.TV)
Bruins:Host the Washington Capitals on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, NESN, NBCSWA, NHL.TV)