Post-Game Thoughts: Avalanche 4, Bruins 3 (OT)

• This one stings: There is no way around it, that is a tough loss. The Bruins were in control of this game up 3-1 late into the third but couldn’t withstand the third period push from the Avs. Nice to get a point, but this would have been a statement win.

• Taylor Hall becomes public enemy #1: The play from this game everyone is going to be talking about is Taylor Hall’s hit on Avs superstar Nathan Mackinnon that knocked him out of the game. Was it clean? I think so. Just an unfortunate result with Mackinnon’s stick riding up and doing some serious damage to his face. Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog tried on a few occasions to get Hall to fight but the Bruins winger wasn’t interested. Erik Johnson took a penalty while already down a man cross checking Hall excessively. The Bruins went on to score twice on the power play to take a 3-1 lead. Not a great look for Colorado.

• Don’t look at the stats, Linus Ullmark was great: Linus Ullmark has been sneakily playing very well the last month and a half or so. Though the stats will show he allowed 4 goals, he was great tonight. He made a number of huge stops in a third period with the Avs pushing to get the game tied. He was the Bruins best player tonight.

• Jake DeBrusk continues to play well: Jake DeBrusk has really been playing well since the team returned from the Christmas break/COVID pause. He scored in the second period on a nice shot to tie the game at 1. He’s up to 2-4-6 in 10 games in January. When he skates hard he makes things happen.

• Where can the Bruins get a Devon Toews clone?: Cale Makar might get all the headlines (rightfully so) but Devon Toews is a legitimate top pairing defenseman. I always come away impressed and tonight did nothing to change that. Great skater and just always seek to be making the right play.