Bruins squander 3-0 lead in Pittsburgh, lose 5-4 in overtime as Novak scores early winner

A game that flipped in the final period

The Boston Bruins let a three-goal cushion slip away Sunday, March 8, falling 5-4 in overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh completed the comeback when Tommy Novak scored 17 seconds into the extra period, ending a dramatic swing after Boston held a 3-0 advantage earlier in the game.

Boston built its lead behind Pavel Zacha, who scored three goals. Despite the hat trick, the Bruins were unable to close out the game as Pittsburgh produced three goals in the third period and then ended it quickly in overtime.

How the scoring unfolded

The Bruins carried a 3-1 lead into the third period, but the Penguins struck twice in rapid succession to erase it. Connor Dewar scored early in the final frame, and Anthony Mantha followed 33 seconds later to tie the game 3-3. Boston responded with Zacha’s third goal to regain a 4-3 edge, but Mantha scored again later in the period to force overtime.

In the extra session, a turnover in the offensive zone led to Novak’s winning goal before most of the overtime had unfolded, sealing Pittsburgh’s 5-4 victory.

• Final: Penguins 5, Bruins 4 (OT)
• Overtime: Novak scored 17 seconds into OT
• Bruins highlight: Zacha recorded a hat trick
• Penguins highlight: Mantha scored twice, including two game-tying goals in the third

Goaltending and game flow

The Penguins generated a significant shot volume, and Boston goaltender Joonas Korpisalo faced 39 shots, stopping 34. Pittsburgh goaltender Arturs Silovs faced 28 shots and made 24 saves. The shot totals reflected extended stretches where Pittsburgh carried play, particularly as the game tightened late.

Boston’s three-goal lead did not hold through the third period, with Pittsburgh tying the game twice before ending it early in overtime.

Standings implications and what it means

The result delivered two points to Pittsburgh and left Boston with one point from the overtime loss. In a tight Eastern Conference race, the swing mattered immediately: the Penguins improved their position in the wild-card chase, while the Bruins missed an opportunity to bank a regulation win after controlling the scoreline for much of the afternoon.

Boston’s collapse centered on third-period execution, with quick goals against changing the game state and forcing the Bruins into a finish that came down to overtime, where Pittsburgh ended it on the first sustained chance.