“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 dramatic shootout on March 29, 2026.
The game, held at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, began with the Blue Jackets taking a commanding lead. Boone Jenner scored the first goal just 6:17 into the first period, followed by a power-play goal from Charlie Coyle at 19:32, putting Columbus ahead 2-0. Mason Marchment contributed with a goal and an assist, showcasing the Blue Jackets’ early dominance.
However, the Bruins were not to be underestimated. They recorded their ninth three-goal, third-period comeback in franchise history, a feat not seen since March 13, 2018. Charlie McAvoy ignited the comeback with a goal at 6:29 of the third period.
With time running out, Pavel Zacha delivered a clutch goal with just 11 seconds remaining in regulation, tying the game and sending it into overtime. “Zacha delivered with his second goal of the game and his NHL-leading 13th goal in the month of March,” noted analysts.
In the shootout, the Bruins ultimately triumphed, with Jeremy Swayman making 21 saves throughout the game, including 12 in the second period alone. His performance was crucial, as he helped the Bruins complete the comeback after being down 3-0.
Despite the loss, the Blue Jackets had a solid record of 38-24-12 before the game, while the Bruins stood at 41-24-8. David Pastrnak’s point streak ended at 12 games, marking a significant moment in the season.
As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on their performances. The Bruins will aim to maintain their momentum, while the Blue Jackets will seek to address the issues highlighted by Bowness in order to return to winning form.
Injuries also played a role in the game, with Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier leaving due to an upper-body injury, and Mason Lohrei not participating for the Bruins due to a similar issue.
Fans can look forward to the next matchups as both teams continue their quest for playoff positioning in the NHL.