March 10, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) and Los Angeles Kings center Alex Turcotte (15) fight for the puck during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images Charlie McAvoy hit a backhand 39 seconds into overtime to give the Boston Bruins a 2-1 win over the visiting Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night.
After blocking a shot in the defensive zone, Mark Kastelic sent a long pass to David Pastrnak, who centered the puck to McAvoy and drove down the slot to give Boston its 13th straight home win.
Mason Lohrei also scored and Jeremy Swayman made 14 saves for the Bruins, who clinch 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 made 11 of 23 shots in the third period and OT to take a 23-15 lead.
All matches between the two teams this season ended scoreless after two periods, with Boston winning 2-1 in overtime.
Less than a minute after Swayman got the decisive response by blocking a tip from Alex Laferriere, Lohrei put the Bruins ahead 1-0 at 8:22 of the third. The defender received a pass from Hampus Lindholm, climbed to the top of the right circle and fired a shot into the top corner of Kuemper’s net.
Doughty’s slap shot deflected off Lindholm’s skate at the crease and past Swayman to tie the game. Trevor Moore sprinted down the wing with the puck and sent it back for Doughty to explode.
The Bruins failed to capitalize on a late power play after Quinton Byfield was called for sticks with 4:17 remaining, sending the game to overtime.
It was a low event game until the 3rd inning.
Los Angeles held a 5-3 shot advantage in the opening period, with Swayman making a key save on an Adrian Kempe break in the opening two minutes.
Fraser Minten had one of Boston’s best chances with 1:43 left in the first, hitting a shot straight at the right post. The young center also hit the crossbar early in the second.
In the second inning (9-3), Boston lost in the shooting department, but the game was scoreless after about 40 minutes. Kuemper kept the stalemate deadlocked when he drove in a one-timer from the slot from Morgan Geekie at 6:41.
At 8:18, Swayman was forced into action to stop Scott Laughton’s short breakaway. The opportunity came just 10 seconds after Boston’s power play began.
–Field level media
