It’s felt like forever since the Boston Bruins were knocked out of the NHL Playoffs by the New York Islanders. With that in the past, they looked to start their season off hot, a task in which they were successful. Boston started the game very much on the front foot, outshooting the Dallas Stars by double digits.
Jeremy Swayman was barely involved in the early goings. Unsurprisingly, Brad Marchand opened Boston’s account with less than three minutes to go in the first. He broke free on a breakaway, and slotted it past former Capital Braden Holtby.
Despite the complete domination, Dallas tied the game up at one halfway through the game. Center Luke Glendening tied the score at one on the assist from Kero. The Stars were not having their best game, but they found themselves in it anyway.
The third period was when the B’s turned on the jets, and started really knocking on the door. After plenty of chances, Nick Foligno threw it toward the goal, and it was Jake DeBrusk finding the game winning goal. Brad Marchand doubled his goal total on the night on an empty netter after an incredible deke to get him in behind. Boston sealed the deal on the penalty kill, and finished off a 3-1 win.
It seems that Jeremy Swayman has won the starting job from Linus Ullmark, and he showed why. Swayman saved 27 of 28 shots, and made the big plays when it mattered. The Bruins will now get three more days of rest, playing their second game of the season on Wednesday, in Philadelphia. They have by far the fewest scheduled games in the opening week of the season. The Atlantic Conference seems to be competitive early, so the two points is a great starting point.