Charlie McAvoy slid home a game-winning backhander 39 seconds into overtime, lifting the Boston Bruins to a 2-1 win over the visiting Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night.
After blocking a shot in the defensive zone, Mark Kastelic fired a long pass to David Pastrnak, who centered the puck to McAvoy for a drive down the slot to propel Boston to its 13th consecutive home win.
Mason Lohrei also scored and Jeremy Swayman made 14 saves for the Bruins, who hold the second and final Eastern Conference wild-card playoff spot.
For Los Angeles, Drew Doughty’s goal with 6:00 left in regulation forced overtime. Darcy Kuemper stopped 21 shots.
Boston recorded 11 of its 23 shots in the third period and OT, ending with a 23-15 advantage.
Both of the teams’ head-to-head meetings this season were scoreless after two periods and ended with 2-1 Boston wins in overtime.
Less than a minute after Swayman made a crucial reaction save on Alex Laferriere’s tip, Lohrei put the Bruins ahead 1-0 at 8:22 of the third. The defenseman received Hampus Lindholm’s pass, stepped to the top of the right circle and fired a shot into the top corner of Kuemper’s net.
Doughty’s slap shot from the point deflected off Lindholm’s skate in the crease and past Swayman to tie the game. Trevor Moore raced down the wing with the puck and sent it back for Doughty to blast.
The Bruins failed to capitalize on a late power play after Quinton Byfield was called for holding the stick with 4:17 remaining, sending the game to overtime.
It was a low-event game until the third.
Los Angeles had a 5-3 shot advantage in the opening period, with Swayman making a key save on an Adrian Kempe break inside the opening two minutes.
Fraser Minten had one of Boston’s best chances with 1:43 left in the first, ripping a straight-on shot off the right post. The young center also clanked the crossbar early in the second.
The game remained scoreless after 40 minutes despite turning Boston’s way in the shot department in the second (9-3). Kuemper kept it deadlocked when he stopped Morgan Geekie’s one-time drive from the slot at 6:41.
At 8:18, Swayman had to spring into action to save a Scott Laughton short-handed breakaway. The chance came just 10 seconds into a Boston power play.
