The third period had it all in Game 5, but the Bruins came out on top 4-3 to take a 3-2 series lead, with David Pastrnak scoring what proved to be the game-winner off a nice feed from Brad Marchand with 1:28 to go.
The Bruins got on the board for the first time in the second period when David Krejci snapped a shot through Sergei Bobrovsky's legs and into the back of the net. It all started with David Backes looking like the $6 million man the Bruins signed back in 2016.
His rush and drop pass are two things the Bruins wouldn't mind some more of.
The Backes-Krejci-DeBrusk line puts Boston on the board.1-0 Bruins. pic.twitter.com/NchZFSwXrE
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) May 5, 2019After the Krejci goal, the Blue Jackets had the Bruins on the ropes.
But it was Tuukka Rask keeping the Bruins alive in the second period -- one in which the shots were 14-12 in favor of Columbus.
When Torey Krug went to the box for holding midway through the period, it was Rask who kept the B's up a goal with this incredible save on Nick Foligno.
TUUUUUUK #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/VAs0LQL305
— Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) May 5, 2019From 10:14-4:33 of the period, the Blue Jackets outshot the Bruins 10-0.
In the third period, the Bruins came out flying on all cylinders. After some solid scoring chances, Connor Clifton took the puck down the wall and found an open Brad Marchand.
Even though Bobrovsky robbed him on the first attempt, Marchand cashed in on the second to make it 2-0.
--GOAL--Marchand scores but actually convinced Bobrovsky is a robot #NHLBruins- 2#CBJ- 0 pic.twitter.com/IBZInG4NdN
— Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) May 5, 2019The Blue Jackets responded with their first of the night off a Seth Jones wrist shot from the corner. It was reviewed and deemed a goal after a lengthy review. That made it 2-1.
Seth Jones gets the @BlueJacketsNHL on the board.Stream the third period here: https://t.co/TMToFGqgcC pic.twitter.com/HKytZBU4m4
— #StanleyCup on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) May 5, 2019After the goal, Columbus had pressure but it quickly went away when David Pastrnak seemingly stunned Bobrovsky with a 2-on-1 wrist shot to make it 3-1.
Just your Garden variety 4 on 1 after Seth Jones gamble going to the net. Snipe show by --. 3-1 @NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/BJPsPSV0Sg
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) May 5, 2019Back and forth they played on.
The Blue Jackets were resilient not once but twice over the course of under two minutes following the Pastrnak goal.
First it was Ryan Dzingel shooting it over Rask to make it 3-2.
LET'S GOOOO!! pic.twitter.com/qzYE0RFVnY
— x-Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) May 5, 2019And then it was Dean Kukan with a slapper right over Rask's left shoulder.
Tie game.
Dean Kukan from the red tees. And we are tied in Boston. pic.twitter.com/K2zS4wil6O
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) May 5, 2019After a tense final few minutes, Artemi Panarin skated down on Brandon Carlo. Carlo shut him down and the Bruins went the other way.
That's when Pastrnak cashed in on a feed from Marchand with 1:28 remaining.
--GOAL--Pastrnak is BACK!!!!! #NHLBruins- 4#CBJ-3 pic.twitter.com/9eQbLanxwu
— Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) May 5, 2019The last minute was hectic, as Matt Duchene hit a post and Atkinson almost had the game-winner.
But there again was Rask.
Chara sloppy turnover but Rask saves him and the #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/aSEXkTTCNB
— Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) May 5, 2019Rask finished the night with 33 saves on 36 shots. Bobrovsky countered with 32 on 36 shots.
The physicality was a key factor for both teams. Hits were aplenty which only heightened the intensity. The Blue Jackets outhit the Bruins 42-32.
Game 6 is Monday night in Columbus at 7:00 p.m.
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