Bruins Rally Late, Defeat Blue Jackets in Shootout

McAvoy and Zacha lead Bruins' comeback in thrilling 4-3 victory

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:05pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting in the cubist style, featuring overlapping geometric planes in the colors of the Bruins and Blue Jackets uniforms, capturing the intensity and movement of a hockey game.The Bruins' thrilling comeback victory showcases the team's resilience and strategic adaptability in a high-stakes hockey showdown.Boston Today

The Boston Bruins overcame an early deficit to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 in a dramatic shootout. Charlie McAvoy and Pavel Zacha were the heroes for the Bruins, with McAvoy scoring the game-tying goal in the third period and Zacha netting the winner in the shootout. The victory showcased the Bruins' resilience and ability to capitalize on special teams opportunities.

Why it matters

The Bruins' comeback win highlights their strong team dynamics and offensive firepower, which will be crucial as they look to maintain their competitive edge in the NHL standings. The Blue Jackets' struggles, including an injury to Mathieu Olivier, underscore the physical demands of the sport and the need for teams to adapt throughout the season.

The details

The Bruins found themselves trailing early, but a third-period surge led by McAvoy and Zacha turned the tide. McAvoy's wrist shot from the blue line cut the deficit to one, and Zacha's power-play and 6-on-4 goals tied the game, setting the stage for the shootout. In the shootout, Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman made crucial saves to secure the victory.

  • The Bruins scored their first goal at 6:29 of the third period.
  • Zacha's power-play goal came at 8:43 of the third period.
  • Zacha's 6-on-4 goal was scored with 1:25 remaining in regulation.

The players

Charlie McAvoy

A standout defenseman for the Boston Bruins, McAvoy scored the game-tying goal in the third period and recorded an assist on Zacha's power-play goal, showcasing his offensive skills and playmaking abilities.

Pavel Zacha

The Bruins' forward scored two crucial goals in the third period, including the power-play and 6-on-4 tallies that tied the game and sent it to a shootout, where he netted the game-winner.

Jeremy Swayman

The Bruins' goaltender made key saves in the shootout to secure the victory for his team, demonstrating his resilience and ability to perform under pressure.

Mathieu Olivier

The Columbus Blue Jackets' defenseman suffered an upper-body injury during the game, further impacting the team's performance and highlighting the physical demands of the sport.

David Pastrnak

The Bruins' star forward saw his 12-game point streak come to an end, but the team's overall victory overshadowed this individual milestone.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to dig deep and fight back. The guys showed a lot of heart out there tonight.”

— Jim Montgomery, Bruins Head Coach

“It was a tough loss, but we'll learn from this and come back stronger. The injuries are starting to take a toll, but we have to keep pushing forward.”

— Brad Larsen, Blue Jackets Head Coach

What’s next

The Bruins will look to build on this comeback victory as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Blue Jackets will need to address their injury concerns and find ways to maintain their competitiveness throughout the remainder of the season.

The takeaway

The Bruins' ability to rally late and secure the shootout win showcases their team's resilience, offensive firepower, and strategic adaptability. This game serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of hockey, where momentum shifts and individual brilliance can turn the tide of a match.