Final: Devils 4, Bruins 3 (F/OT) - Bruins allow goal with seven seconds remaining in overtime taken at BSJ Headquarters (Top Bruins)

(Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images)

The Boston Bruins fall to the New Jersey Devils in a 4-3 overtime loss in the Prudential Center.

Despite David Pastrnak playing his best offensive game post Olympics, Boston's inability to play a consistent 60 minutes of hockey was apparent in this game.

The Bruins started the game strong and played their best hockey in the first period. They scored two goals in the first 15 minutes of play and limited the Devils to less than 10 shots on goal. 

Boston's first goal came four minutes into the game. Henri Jokiharju fired a shot on net and Pastrnak, who was wide open in front of the net, collected the rebound and tucked a shot in between the five hole of Jacob Markstrom. Then 10 minutes later, the Bruins collected a turnover in the neutral zone, and Boston's second line scored on the odd-man-rush play with Pavel Zacha being credited with the goal.

After a dominant first period, Boston's play on the ice diminished in the final 40 minutes of regulation. 

The Devils picked up their play in the second period and scored two goals. They scored 32 seconds into the period with a goal from Connor Brown. Then, midway through the second, Jesper Bratt delivered a one-timer goal in transition.

With both teams tied going into the final period, the game took another turn. Paul Cotter gave the Devils their first lead of the game three minutes into the period, but Pastrnak responded two minutes later with his second goal of the game.

Following both goals, a parade of penalties were called on both sides. It started with Mark Kastelic's second fight of the game where Kastelic was called for an additional interference penalty, and the Bruins and Devils combined for five additional penalties. At one point, the Bruins received a short 5-on-3 power play attempt, but the Bruins failed to put pressure on Markstrom, which brought the game into overtime.

The Devils spent the majority of overtime on attack in Boston's defensive zone. In the final minutes of extra time, Charlie McAvoy fired a shot that dinged off the post. The Devils collected the puck following the shot, and Cotter sealed the win for New Jersey with a breakaway goal with seven seconds remaining in the game.

The Bruins were able to pick up a point in this contest, but their inconsistent play prevented them from getting a win against an inferior opponent. Yet again, Boston spends more time on the power play than their opponent and record no goals on the man advantage.

Tomorrow, the Bruins will head up to Montreal to take on the Canadiens on St. Patrick's Day. Puck drop will be at 7 p.m.

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WHO: Bruins (37-23-6) at Devils (33-31-2)
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Prudential Center, New Jersey
TV: ESPN
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub

PROJECTED LINES

Boston

Khusnutdinov - Minten - Pastrnak 

Mittelstadt - Zacha - Arvidsson 

Steeves - E. Lindholm - Geekie

Jeannot - Kuraly - Kastelic

Aspirot - McAvoy

H. Lindholm - Lohrei

Zadorov - Jokiharju

Korpisalo

Swayman

New Jersey

Meier - Hischier - Mercer

Bratt - J. Hughes - Brown

Gritsyuk - Glass - Hameenaho

Cotter - Bjugstad - Tsyplakov

Siegenthaler - Hamilton

L. Hughes - Kovacevic

Dillon - Nemec

Markstrom

Allen

PREGAME NOTES

The Boston Bruins continue their metropolitan road trip with a game against the New Jersey Devils on ESPN.

Henri Jokiharju returns to the Bruins lineup. Andrew Peeke is a healthy scratch.

The Bruins change up their first line for the second time in two games. Marat Khusnutdinov goes back to playing the top left wing slot while Frasier Minten stays at the top center spot. Morgan Geekie returns to the third line.