Bergeron tallies twice as Bruins even series with Jackets

[May 03, 2019]    Patrice Bergeron scored a pair of power-play goals as the visiting Boston Bruins posted a 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday to even their Eastern Conference second-round series at two wins apiece.

Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first period during game four of the second round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

David Pastrnak collected a goal and an assist, and Columbus-area native Sean Kuraly also tallied for the Bruins, who host Game 5 on Saturday.

Tuukka Rask finished with 39 saves, including a stop on a Boone Jenner penalty shot in the first period.

After Artemi Panarin's disputed goal trimmed Boston's lead to 2-1 in the first period, the Bruins scored twice in the third to seal the win.

Boston captain Zdeno Chara's shot from the point caromed off the boards, with a clearing attempt by Sergei Bobrovsky (42 saves) banking off Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard to set up Kuraly's conversion at 8:40 of the third.

Bergeron capped the scoring with a power-play goal from in close with 2:30 remaining in the game.

The Blue Jackets cut their deficit to 2-1 at 8:46 of the first period, although not without controversy.

Defenseman Seth Jones' shot caromed off a teammate and sailed into the spectator netting before bouncing back into play. The four officials were unaware that the puck had hit the netting, but Oliver Bjorkstrand alertly shoveled it to an unmarked Panarin for a conversion from the doorstep.

The Bruins immediately disputed the goal, but coaches are allowed to challenge plays only for offside and goaltender interference.

The NHL rulebook sheds light on why the Situation Room in Toronto could not get involved.

Per NHL Rule 38.4 (ix): "Video review shall only be permitted on goals that hit the spectator netting if the puck is directed immediately into the goal." The league provided two different scenarios for its definition of "immediately," although neither applies since Bjorkstrand played the puck prior to it entering the goal.

Boston opened the scoring at 3:33 of the first period. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy wired a diagonal pass from the point to the left circle for an awaiting Pastrnak, who one-timed the puck past Bobrovsky.

Columbus attempted to answer three minutes later, with Jenner receiving a penalty shot after being tripped by Brad Marchand on a partial breakaway. Rask made a save with his blocker to deny Jenner on the penalty shot, however.

The Bruins doubled the advantage just 26 seconds later, at 7:18 of the first, when Marchand's seam pass to the slot allowed Bergeron to wrist a shot inside the right post.

--Field Level Media

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