Pavel Zacha Scores Overtime Winner to Extend Bruins' Winning Streak
The Boston Bruins secured a 3-2 overtime victory against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night at TD Garden, marking their fifth consecutive win. Pavel Zacha scored the decisive goal with just 5.5 seconds remaining in overtime, assisted by Charlie McAvoy.
A Redemption for the Bruins
This win avenged the Bruins’ toughest defeat of the season, a 7-2 loss to the Senators in Ottawa a week earlier. The victory improved the Bruins' record to 9-7, reflecting strong recent form with six wins in their last seven games.
Key Moments in Overtime
The final minute of the extra period was intense. The Bruins earned a power play but lost the advantage within three seconds. McAvoy then delivered an outstanding performance, playing a season-high 26 minutes and using his speed and skill to set up multiple chances, culminating in Zacha’s game-winning goal — his fourth of the season.
“Charlie made a hell of a play,” said Bruins coach Marco Sturm. “For big win.”
“He’s a great skater and he beat his guy and made it a two-on-one and then he made a great play,” said Zacha. “So, I think that’s something in overtime that he used his skill and took over.”
Motivation Behind the Win
Zacha emphasized the motivation to avenge the previous defeat. “We had a bad game there and lost pretty badly, so I think before the game we were motivated to give it back and I’m happy that we won,” he said.
Summary
The Bruins’ rigorous effort and key plays by McAvoy and Zacha fueled a crucial overtime victory, reinforcing their resilience and current strong performance in the season.
Author’s view: This win not only boosted the Bruins’ momentum but also showcased their ability to respond under pressure, turning a tough loss into fuel for success.