Bruins Surge in Third, Down Red Wings in Race for Playoff Berth

Boston scores twice in 3:20 span to rally past Detroit in key Atlantic Division matchup.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 7:16am

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The visiting Boston Bruins scored twice in a 3:20 span in the third period to turn around a one-goal deficit and defeat the Detroit Red Wings 4-2 in a crucial matchup between Atlantic Division rivals on Saturday night. The win helped the Bruins improve their position in the race for the Eastern Conference wild-card playoff spots.

Why it matters

This game was a key battle between two teams fighting for playoff positioning in the tight Eastern Conference wild-card race. The Bruins' comeback victory allowed them to gain ground on the Red Wings in the standings and strengthened their chances of securing a postseason berth.

The details

Nikita Zadorov scored the game-winning goal for the Bruins with 10:18 remaining in the third period, while Elias Lindholm tied the game earlier in the period. David Pastrnak and Marat Khusnutdinov also scored for Boston, which got three assists from Morgan Geekie. Jeremy Swayman made 41 saves in the win. Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat scored for Detroit, which got 23 saves from John Gibson.

  • The Bruins scored twice in a 3:20 span in the third period to rally past the Red Wings.
  • Lindholm's game-tying goal came at 6:22 of the third period.
  • Zadorov's game-winning goal came with 10:18 remaining in the third period.
  • Khusnutdinov's empty-net goal came with 1:52 left in regulation.

The players

Nikita Zadorov

A defenseman for the Boston Bruins who scored the game-winning goal in the third period.

Elias Lindholm

A forward for the Boston Bruins who scored the game-tying goal in the third period.

David Pastrnak

A forward for the Boston Bruins who scored a power-play goal in the second period.

Jeremy Swayman

The goaltender for the Boston Bruins who made 41 saves in the victory.

Lucas Raymond

A forward for the Detroit Red Wings who scored a goal in the second period.

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What they’re saying

“We must have been a little sluggish to start, but the guys really stepped up in the third period to get this important win.”

— Jim Montgomery, Head Coach, Boston Bruins

“It's a tough one to swallow, but we'll regroup and get ready for our next big game against the Canadiens.”

— Derek Lalonde, Head Coach, Detroit Red Wings

What’s next

The Bruins will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Red Wings will try to bounce back in their upcoming matchup against the division-leading Montreal Canadiens.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory showcases the Bruins' resilience and ability to rally from behind, keeping them firmly in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. Meanwhile, the Red Wings' loss is a setback in their quest to secure a postseason berth, underscoring the intense competition for those final playoff spots.