Krejci’s Hat Trick, OT Winner Lifts Boston
Thursday, May 09, 2013
David Krejci
Krejci scored twice in a 3-goal second period for Boston and netted the game-winner in overtime of the Bruins 4-3 win at the Air Canada Centre.
Down 2-1 in the series, Toronto came out flying to start game 4 jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first on goals by Joffrey Lupul and Cody Franson.
But the second period was a different story.
Patrice Bergeron put Boston on the board with a power play goal just :32 seconds into the second to cut the deficit to 2-1. Twelve minutes later, Krejci tied the game at two with his first goal of the night and third of the series. Less than 4 minutes later, Krejci tickled the twine again to give Boston its first lead 3-2.
Less than a minute later, the Leafs answered as Clarke MacArthur tied the game at three.
A fast-paced and sometimes frantic third period did not result in any scoring for either team sending the game to overtime, the first game of the series to head into extra time.
At 13:06 of the extra frame, Krejci netted the game-winner and secured the hatrick for the 4-3 win.
NOTES:
-Those who had the pleasure of watching Wednesday night's game would agree it was an instant classic. The effort and energy on both sides was phenomenal and just the latest example of why the Stanley Cup Playoffs at their best rival any league's playoffs.
-Krejci's three goals gave him his 4th multi-goal playoff game of his career. His 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points leads all players in this series and his play has been reminiscent of the 2011 Stanley Cup run when he scored 12 goals and dished out 11 assists in 25 postseason games that season. His inconsistent play this season has drawn criticism from some members of the media but there's no denying that his game has been taken up a few notches in the playoffs.
-Boston's special teams had the decided edge in game 4 as the B's went 2-5 on the power play while holding Toronto to 0-4.
-The Bruins can close out Toronto Friday night at the TD Garden when the two teams meet for game 5. Given that the NHL re-seeds after each round to allow the highest remaining seed to play the lowest remaining seed, Boston (4th-seed) could draw one of a number of teams. The Rangers (6) beat Washington (3) 4-3 Wednesday night to even that series at 2-2. Tonight the Pittsburgh Penguins (1) host the NY Islanders (8) for game five with that series tied 2-2. Also tonight, Ottowa (7) can close out the Canadiens (2) with a win in game 5 at Montreal. The Senators lead the habs 3-1.
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