Bruins Rally Past Blue Jackets in Shootout Thriller

Viktor Arvidsson's decisive goal seals comeback win for Boston

Mar. 30, 2026 at 1:38am

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The Boston Bruins overcame a late deficit to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 in a dramatic shootout on Sunday night. The game-winning goal was scored by Bruins forward Viktor Arvidsson in the shootout, capping off a thrilling comeback for the visitors.

Why it matters

This victory keeps the Bruins in the playoff hunt in the tight Eastern Conference race, while the Blue Jackets missed an opportunity to gain ground on their division rivals. The back-and-forth nature of the game showcased the high level of competition in the NHL this season.

The details

The Blue Jackets jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but the Bruins battled back to tie the game at 2-2 by the end of the second period. Columbus regained the lead in the third, but Boston's David Pastrnak scored the equalizer with just over a minute remaining to send the game to overtime. After a scoreless OT, Arvidsson's shootout goal clinched the win for the Bruins.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 29, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
  • The Blue Jackets took a 2-0 lead early in the contest.
  • The Bruins tied the game at 2-2 by the end of the second period.
  • Columbus regained the lead in the third period before Boston's late equalizer.
  • The game went to a shootout, where Arvidsson scored the decisive goal for Boston.

The players

David Pastrnak

A star forward for the Boston Bruins who scored the game-tying goal late in regulation.

Viktor Arvidsson

The Bruins forward who netted the winning goal in the shootout to complete the comeback.

Kirill Marchenko

A defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets who was matched up against Pastrnak during the game.

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What they’re saying

“That was a huge win for us. We showed a lot of fight to come back and get the two points.”

— David Pastrnak, Bruins Forward

“It's a tough loss, but we had our chances. We'll learn from this and come back stronger.”

— Kirill Marchenko, Blue Jackets Defenseman

What’s next

The Bruins will look to build on this comeback win as they continue their playoff push, while the Blue Jackets will aim to rebound in their next game.

The takeaway

This thrilling back-and-forth contest showcased the high level of competition in the NHL this season, with the Bruins' resilience and late-game heroics proving to be the difference in a crucial victory for their playoff aspirations.