In the end, a goal is a goal, no matter how slowly it moves into the net. So long as it's across the line, that is what matters and that is how the Boston Bruins won 2-1 in overtime against the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 28.
Patrice Bergeron's fourth goal of the season was debated before it was made official. The goal horn sounded, but the on-ice officials initially declared it a no goal. However, when Ottawa goalie Robin Lehner reached to try to make a desperation save, he did the exact opposite--he pushed the puck in a little deeper, separating it even more from the goal line. Eventually, after the play was reviewed, it was officially declared a good goal and the game ended.
But Boston's other goal of the night, which opened the scoring in the second period and came from Nathan Horton, was slow-moving too. It was the result of a little passing maneuver from Horton to Dougie Hamilton and back to Horton, but Milan Lucic and David Krejci both made sure the puck stayed in the offensive zone.
Boston's penalty killing streak came to an end, though, when the team allowed a power play goal from Jim O'Brien near the end of the second period to tie the game. That goal, too, moved in slowly past Tuukka Rask. Despite that flub, the Bruins still hold the league lead for penalty kill.
Though the Bruins won, they also recognized that they weren't always playing their best. Bergeron himself even said that the team wasn't satisfied with their "all-around play" despite the victory and coach Claude Julien agreed, pointing out that coming off of a road trip can be a challenge for his club.
Rask could need some rest soon in favor of Anton Khudobin, but then the Bruins' starter could also be just fine for the team's next game on March 2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has, however, made 100 saves in his past three games, allowing only three goals.
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