Late wins are often in abundance in the NHL playoffs and the game 4 matchup between the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings continued the trend. In a game full of energy that lasted into extra time, the Bruins prevailed to surge to a commanding 3-1 lead in the series as they head back to Boston.
The first period was lively with both teams getting good opportunities. The Red Wing's Niklas Kronwall opened the scoring half way through the first with a slapshot from the blue-line, beating a well-screened Tuukka Rask.
The Bruins' best first period opportunity arose from a terrific pass by Kevan Miller down to Marchand with a wide open net, but he somehow missed, firing it through the crease, but wide, a miss only to be overshadowed by another empty net miss in the third.
Other than that opportunity the Red Wings started exactly like they would hope, out-hustling the Bruins and generally dominating possession. It was by far the most dominant Detroit has been in any period this series, outshooting the Bruins 15-5.
The second period started with more of the same from the Red Wings, pressuring the Bruins into scrambling around in the defensive end and leading to Niklas Kronwall's second goal on an easy weakside put in. The Bruins looked thoroughly overmatched in all three portions of the ice.
Down 2-0 the Bruins needed a spark and received it after a penalty on Todd Bertuzzi. With the man advantage, Torey Krug took advantage with a slapshot from the high slot that beat the Red Wings' backup goalie Gustavsson and found the top of the net. With that goal the Bruins cut the lead in half and entered the third only down one.
The game-tying goal came on a wonderful pass by Soderberg, who from the side of the net, was able to find a wide open Milan Lucic right in front of the net, who was able to stuff it home. With the game tied at two a piece both teams entered a frenzy, searching for the game winner and throwing just about every puck on net.
With no definitive goal scored in the third the game moved to overtime where the action only grew more intense. The period began with a Red Wings breakaway on Tuukka Rask who was able to make the right blocker save. The 1v1 chance would be just one of many opportunities until Jarome Iginla was able to deflect Dougie Hamilton's shot on frame ending the game 13 minutes into overtime.
The comeback win was one of few Bruins' performances that resulted in a win after being two down, but now they turn to the third game in Boston as they have a chance to end the series in five games.