David Pastrnak’s one-timer on the power play at 3:19 of overtime propelled the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 win over the visiting Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon.
Boston set an NHL record for the longest season-opening home winning streak (12-0-0), eclipsing the 11-0-0 mark set by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1963-64 and matched by the Florida Panthers last season.
Pastrnak finished with a goal and an assist. The game-winner was his team-leading 14th goal and his fifth in four games, helping the Bruins complete their climb out of a 2-0 hole.
David Krejci scored both Boston goals in regulation while Pavel Zacha dished out two assists.
Linus Ullmark (28 saves) left with an upper-body injury in the third period. Jeremy Swayman stopped all six shots he faced to win in relief.
The Bruins, who had a 41-36 shot advantage, have yet to lose back-to-back games.
Stefan Noesen and Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored power-play goals for Carolina, which has lost five straight. Pyotr Kochetkov made a season-high 38 saves.
Carolina became the first visiting team to hold a multi-goal lead at TD Garden this season, scoring its first two power-play goals after a six-game drought. The unit had gone 0-for-20 before clicking twice in the first period.
The Hurricanes ended their man-up drought when Noesen knocked home a rebound out front at the 6:34 mark. Sebastian Aho, who now has 17 points in 14 career games against Boston, shot to set up the tally.
Kotkaniemi made it a 2-for-2 start for the Carolina power play at 15:05, banging the puck past Ullmark’s pad after a shot bounced off the end wall.
The score stayed 2-0 until the final minute of the second period. With just 30.4 seconds left, Zacha forced a turnover and Krejci fired home Pastrnak’s cross-ice pass from the bottom of the left circle.
After a goaltender interference call was overturned via review, Krejci’s point shot sailed through traffic and past a screening Nick Foligno to tie the game with 9:33 remaining in regulation.
Tested quickly in relief, Swayman stopped Martin Necas’ break and a rebound flurry with 2:02 left.
Swayman also made a pad save on Necas before the Bruins went on the advantage in overtime. Boston could not capitalize on a carryover power play from the end of the third.
Boston forward Craig Smith (upper-body injury) did not return for the final period.
–Field Level Media
