Patrice Bergeron scored the decisive goal with 4:08 remaining in the third period, lifting the Boston Bruins to a 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night.
Trent Frederic and Pavel Zacha also scored for the NHL-leading Bruins, who improved their record to 28-4-3. Linus Ullmark made 26 saves, securing his 20th win of the season.
“It’s almost like you get used to it,” Bergeron said of Ullmark’s performance. You don’t want to take it for granted. We’re a good team defensively, and I think you have to carry that on.”
Vitek Vanecek stopped 24 shots for the Devils, who fell to 22-11-2. Nico Hischier scored New Jersey’s lone goal.
“We did everything we talked about,” said Erik Haula. “You have to play 60 minutes, especially against the best teams in the league. If you don’t, you’re vulnerable. We need to fix that immediately.”
Bergeron tipped a shot by Hampus Lindholm past Vanecek for his 14th goal of the season.
“That play by Bergeron,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said, “there aren’t enough words to describe it. That’s a big-time goal. Not everyone goes to those hard areas. That’s why he scored. That’s why he has a thousand points. That’s why he’s our leader.”
Hischier tied the game at 1-1 at the 6:11 mark of the third period, redirecting Fabian Zetterlund’s centering pass past Ullmark for his 14th goal of the season.
The Bruins broke through first despite being outplayed for most of the first two periods. Frederic gave Boston a 1-0 lead 8:57 into the second period with his seventh goal of the season. Moments after killing a New Jersey power play, the Bruins attacked. Lindholm intercepted a clearing attempt and skated down the middle before dropping a pass to Frederic, who snapped a quick shot past Vanecek from the high slot.
“Once you take care of the process, the results fall in line,” Bergeron said. “For me, it’s all about the process and details. That’s who we are. I think that’s our identity. We have to concentrate and emphasize those details.”
Zacha sealed the win for the Bruins with an empty-net goal.
Game Notes
- Before the game, the Devils announced that defensemen Ryan Graves and John Marino were placed on injured reserve, retroactive to Dec. 21 and Dec. 20, respectively. Right wing Tyce Thompson and defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon were recalled from AHL Utica. Wotherspoon was a healthy scratch, along with left wing Alexander Holtz and right wing Andreas Johnsson.
- Devils defenseman Damon Severson played in his 600th NHL game.
- Boston went 0-for-3 on the power play and killed both New Jersey power plays.
- Taylor Hall, playing on Boston’s third line, was booed by the 16,514 in attendance every time he touched the puck. Hall spent parts of four seasons with New Jersey, including 2017-18 when he won the Hart Trophy and led the Devils to their first playoff berth since 2011-12.
UP NEXT
- Bruins: Host Buffalo on Saturday.
- Devils: Visit Pittsburgh on Friday.
