ECF: Bruins Win In Double-OT To Take Stranglehold

The Penguins played a much better game in game 3, but it still wasn’t enough to beat Tuukka Rask and the Boston Bruins.

Despite firing 54 shots at the Bruins’ keeper in 4+ periods of play, they could only beat him one time, while the Bruins used an early goal and then scored some 93 minutes later to ice it and take a 3-0 series lead an move within 1 game of their second Stanley Cup Final in three years.

June 5, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Boston Bruins left wing Daniel Paille (20) and Pittsburgh Penguins left wing James Neal (18) battle for the puck while Bruins center David Krejci (46) looks on during the first overtime period in game three of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

David Krejci continued his torrid playoff, scoring the first goal of the game just 1:42 in, banking a shot off Matt Niskanen‘s skate and past Tomas Vokoun. Vokoun also played well in his first start since being pulled in Game 2, making 38 saves of his own, but he was finally beaten by Patrice Bergeron, who re-directed a Brad Marchand pass past the Penguins goalie 15:19 into the second extra period.

Rask was the story of this game, as he turned away numerous scoring chances off Penguins’ sticks throughout the game.  The Pengiuns are obviously frustrated, as only Chris Kunitz was able to beat Rask, as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal, Jarome Iginla and Kris Letang all remain scoreless in the series.

The biggest buzz coming out of this game is for forward Gregory Campbell, who apparently broke his leg blocking a shot during a second period penalty kill, and finished his shift before limping to the Bruins bench.  He will miss the remainder of the playoffs.

Pittsburgh now has to win 4 straight against the Bruins, a tall order against any team, let alone the team that won the Stanley Cup 2 years ago.  Game 4 goes Friday night in Boston.