Boston’s Taylor Hall, right, scores what he called a “greasy goal” on Washington goalie Craig Anderson that tied the game and forced overtime. Boston went on to win the game and tie the series, 1-1. Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post
Sitting at the table for his video conference following the Bruins’ 4-3 overtime win over the Washington Capitals on Monday night, Taylor Hall marveled at how quickly Boston’s fortunes had changed.
About an hour before, they had been down 3-2 and at risk of falling behind 2-0 in the best-of-seven series. But with 2:49 left in the third period, Hall jammed a loose rebound through traffic past Washington goalie Craig Anderson to tie the game and force overtime. Moments into sudden death, Brad Marchand scored to give Boston a 4-3 win. Suddenly the Bruins had momentum in the tied series that’s now shipping up to Boston.
“A lot has changed in an hour,” Hall said. “A lot has changed for our team obviously. We kept fighting until the end.”
Nobody understands huge momentum swings better than Hall.
Just five weeks ago, he woke up on trade deadline day as a member of the last-place Buffalo Sabres. For a team that was 10-25-6, he was in the midst of one of the worst stretches of his career with just two goals in 37 games and was a minus-21.
The Bruins were coming off an 8-1 loss to these same Capitals and were badly struggling to find sustained offense outside of their top line.
Taylor Hall, second from left, was getting his skate fixed when Boston scored in overtime to beat Washington on Monday, but he was right there to catch Brad Marchand, who scored the winning goal. Alex Brandon/Associated Press
Boston and Taylor Hall needed each other. But neither could have known just how natural the fit would be.
After the trade, Hall’s comment to Boston media about his own lagging confidence got ample attention for both its refreshing honesty and its reflection on how badly the former MVP was struggling. Since pulling on a Bruins’ jersey, Hall has shown no signs of self-doubt. He hasn’t reverted all the way to the form that once made him a star in New Jersey and Edmonton, but he’s approaching it.
Seeing the quality of goals he’s scored in Boston, it’s hard to envision how he could ever go 37 games with just two goals. He rediscovered his scoring touch as a Bruin. Hall had eight goals and six assists in 16 regular-season games and was a plus-15. He’s been a good player and a good teammate.
But like many Bruins players, he didn’t make the same impact in Game 1 Saturday and looked a little out of sync.
“The other night, it didn’t really happen for him,” Coach Bruce Cassidy said. “So you want to make a difference. I love guys like that, that want to make a difference.”
With the Bruins down 3-2 Monday, he made a huge difference. Late in the third period, the fight for the ensuing rebound started the scrum in front of Anderson. Hall followed his shot and crashed the right post. By the time he arrived, the puck squirted his way. While being crosschecked from behind by Tom Wilson, Hall stuffed it in to tie the game.
“He made a huge play on the third goal,” Cassidy said. “Credit to Taylor. He’s been really invested since he’s been here.”
Brad Marchand, who scored the winning goal, said Hall’s was bigger.
“That was a huge goal for our group. It completely turned the tide,” he said. “The whole reason we won tonight was because of that goal. It was great that they were able to deliver.”
When Marchand scored 39 seconds into overtime, Hall was on the bench, getting his skate fixed. But he caught Marchand, who leaped over the boards into his arms in celebration.
“That was awesome. Just a lot of relief. I felt like I scored the goal myself there. You can see the smiles on everyone’s faces. There’s such a huge difference between being down 2-0 and being tied 1-1,” said Hall, who looked like a catcher embracing a pitcher who’d just thrown a no-hitter. “He doesn’t weigh very much. I’ve been lifting a lot lately so I was prepared for that.”
Hall was happy in the moment, but not satisfied.
“It wasn’t a perfect game for me. I still think I have another level to get to personally,” he said. “As a team, we came together and won a game.”
LAUZON OUT, MILLER IN: Cassidy said Jeremy Lauzon is still listed as day-to-day, but the defenseman won’t be returning to the lineup for Game 3 on Wednesday at TD Garden.
“He won’t be available tomorrow. He’s dealt with an injury.” Cassidy said. “He’s day-to-day, but won’t be available tomorrow.”
Lauzon missed Game 2 after being hit by a puck in Game 1. Connor Clifton replaced him in the Bruins lineup.
Cassidy said Kevan Miller, who missed a large chunk of the first period of Game 2, was fine and that his absence wasn’t related to the defenseman’s surgically repaired knee.
“He’s good to go. He got a nasty cut from one of the hits. It wasn’t his previous injury which is good news,” Cassidy said. “He got stitched up and went back out there. He was a little sensitive today but he should be good to go tomorrow assuming there’s no issues with that.”
GAME 5 SET: After the Bruins’ win on Monday night assured that there would be a Game 5 in this best-of-seven series, the NHL officially put it on the calendar. The game, which will be in Washington, is at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
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