“We got away from being aggressive, and I thought we got very selfish with the puck,” said Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness after his team fell to the Boston Bruins 4-3 in a shootout at Nationwide Arena on March 29, 2026.
The game started with the Blue Jackets taking an early lead, as Boone Jenner scored the first goal just 6:17 into the first period. Following that, Mason Marchment contributed with a goal and an assist, while Charlie Coyle added a power-play goal at 19:32, putting Columbus up 3-0.
However, the Bruins, known for their resilience, made a stunning comeback, marking their ninth three-goal, third-period comeback in franchise history. Charlie McAvoy ignited the rally with a goal at 6:29 of the third period, followed by Pavel Zacha’s dramatic game-tying goal with just 11 seconds left in regulation.
“They’re going to come and push and play well and press a little bit, but it’s up to us, no matter what happens, just to stay on it,” Coyle reflected on the team’s mindset during the comeback.
In the shootout, the Bruins ultimately triumphed, with Jeremy Swayman making 21 saves throughout the game to secure the victory. Swayman was particularly impressive, stopping 12 shots in the second period alone, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
David Pastrnak, who had a remarkable point streak of 12 games, saw that streak come to an end during this match, as he was unable to find the net. Meanwhile, Mason Lohrei did not play due to an upper-body injury, and Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier also left the game with an upper-body injury.
As the game concluded, the Bruins improved their record to 41-24-8, while the Blue Jackets fell to 38-24-12. The excitement of the game was palpable, with fans on the edge of their seats as the teams battled fiercely.
Looking ahead, both teams will be eager to build on their performances as they continue their campaigns in the NHL. The Bruins’ ability to rally back from a significant deficit will surely boost their confidence moving forward.
