BOSTON SPORTS WAVE

Bruins Game Report: Craig Smith’s Hat Trick Lifts Boston Past Golden Knights, 5-2

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The Boston Bruins traveled to Las Vegas to play their fifth game of a six-game road trip. After losing to the Ducks following a five-game win streak, the Bruins got back into the win column behind Craig Smith’s hat trick.

The first period started off with little action, but Boston came away with a 1-0 lead. Smith snuck the puck underneath Robin Lehner’s right arm for his seventh goal of the season.

The second period had more action than the first, as both teams added a tally to their score that period. First, the B’s increased their lead to 2-0 thanks to Smith’s second consecutive goal. The 32-year-old had his last multi-goal game on May 21, 2021. Then, Jack Eichel scored his second goal for the Golden Knights. Eichel skated full speed on a breakaway and slipped the puck past  Swayman for his sixth goal against the Bruins in his career.

The third period came with a lot of chances for both teams. David Pastrnak gave Boston a 3-1 lead with his 30th goal of the season eight minutes into the period. On the Pastrnak goal, Trent Frederic earned his third assist in the game, a first for Frederic’s career. Speaking of threes, Smith scored a hat trick for the second season in a row.

With Smith’s goal coming with less than six minutes left, Vegas seemed to be finished. Though Jonathan Marchessault attempted to stop the comeback after scoring a goal with an extra attacker, Boston quickly shut the door. Pastrnak scored his second goal of the evening into the empty net with less than two minutes left in the game to finish off the Knights.

Swayman continued his streak of impressive performances in net, as Swayman posted a .944 save percentage, saving 34-of-36 shots. The young netminder has also saved 203 of his last 210 shots faced for a .967 save percentage.

The Bruins will hope to finish their road trip the same way they began it; on a winning streak. The B’s will travel to Columbus on Saturday to play the 28-25-1 Columbus Blue Jackets. Puck drop will take place at 7 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena.

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