The Boston Bruins got their seventh and arguably their most impressive win on Saturday afternoon. The Bruins defeated a red-hot New Jersey Devils team that came off three straight wins. The Bruins won their second road game and sit at 7-5-0 (2-4-0 on the road) while the Devils remain in a playoff spot at 7-4-2 (5-3-1 at home).
Erik Haula scored his first goal of the season with 2:23 left in the first period and the Bruins were never tied with or trailed New Jersey after that. The Bruins didn’t trail in terms of shots in that period, either, outshooting NJ 14-9.
Brad Marchand, the Bruins’ MVP this season, yet again scored a goal. His seventh goal this year also came as his second on the power play. His eight power play points tie him with Artemi Panarin for fourth in the NHL this season. Marchand’s seventh goal also earned Patrice Bergeron and Charlie McAvoy their seventh assists this year.
Devils rookie Dawson Mercer gave the Devils some hope, scoring his fifth goal of the season just 28 seconds after Marchand. Only three other rookies have scored at least five goals so far; Lucas Raymond (6), Jonathan Dahlen (6), and Tanner Jeannot (5).
Marchand answered back from the rookie shortly after. The long-time Bruin netted his second goal in less than three minutes, tapping in a rebound of a David Pastrnak slap shot past Jonathan Bernier. Saturday was Marchand’s 50th multi-goal game in his career for Boston.
The second-period slugfest didn’t end there, though. Jesper Bratt put a one-timer past Jeremy Swayman thanks to a pass from Mercer. Mercer’s assist put him third in points for 2021-22 rookies.
The B’s had their best third period of the season after maintaining a slim 3-2 lead. It was their second third period this season where they scored two goals and didn’t allow one. The first one happened in the season opener against the mediocre Dallas Stars, leading to a 3-1 win.
Bergeron added to the Boston lead halfway into the third, scoring on another Pastrnak rebound. Bergeron’s two points gave him 10 in the past five games after having only three in the first seven games. Jake DeBrusk came in with the dagger in the last minute of the game. He scored an unassisted empty netter that capped off the 5-2 victory.
Swayman continued his adept goalie play in his third consecutive win. He saved 27 shots and garnered a .931 save percentage. In the month of November thus far, the Alaskan has put up a .930 save percentage, 1.50 GAA, and a 3-0 record.
Bernier, on the other hand, struggled to keep up with the fast-paced Bruins offense. The journeyman goaltender put up a .886 save percentage and allowed four goals which has been a trend. Bernier has three games of a .889 save percentage or less and he’s only played in six games.
The Bruins look forward to expanding on their big win tomorrow when they host the Montreal Canadiens tomorrow night. The struggling Habs head to TD Garden in the second game of their road trip which has the Bruins as heavy favorites (-213).