WATCH: Brandon Carlo Makes Game-Saving Block Against Tampa
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- I posted this article on Brandon Carlo's shot-blocking on Thursday afternoon. He had looked impressive in that department in the first nine games of his NHL career, and it turns out that he's been doing it at one of the highest rates in the entire league.
That ability shined again on Thursday, and this time it was in the clutch. Carlo's exceptional shot-blocking saved the Bruins from heartbreak against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.
With just under seven minutes left in regulation and the game tied 3-3, Tampa was humming on offense and threatening to take the lead with their top line on the ice. Tampa's Ondrej Palat shoveled the puck out of the corner to Steven Stamkos, who darted toward an unprotected Tuukka Rask. The goalie zeroed in on Stamkos, who shuffled the puck across the ice to Nikita Kucherov who had a wide-open net to fire at off of Stamkos' perfect pass.
Just one problem: the 6-foot-5 Carlo was in a position to drop to one knee and block the shot, which was undoubtedly going into the net if Carlo wasn't there. He had wisely hung back and remained aware that he had to cover a potential shot from the dot, and as a result he was able to make the block.
His 1.000 save percentage led the team.
When asked about the play after the game, Carlo showed how smart he is as a defenseman as he described why he stayed back and was ready for Kucherov's shot.
Carlo blocked two shots in the game to up his season total to 27, good for sixth in the NHL entering Friday's action. He has the same amount of blocked shots as San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, who finished third in Norris Trophy voting last season. Thursday wasn't his first clutch blocked shot, either, as he blocked two in the final 31 seconds of the Bruins' 2-1 win over New Jersey.
The 19-year-old Carlo has been a strong presence around the net in his own end, something the Bruins defense sorely lacked in the previous two seasons. It's incredible that he has made virtually no glaring mistakes that you'd expect from a rookie. It's still very early and he may yet hit a wall at some point, but up to this point, Carlo has been a revelation.
Thursday night's win was one of the Bruins' most complete team efforts, and they sure needed it against one of the league's deepest and most dynamic teams in Tampa Bay. But if you had to pick an MVP for the game, Carlo would be a solid choice. Without his clutch blocked shot, that marathon shootout - and the two points - never even happen.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
