The Boston Bruins, featuring several new faces this season, are still working on their chemistry. After letting a lead slip away against Edmonton two nights prior, they ensured history didn’t repeat itself in New Jersey on Saturday.
Brad Marchand scored twice, and Jeremy Swayman made 27 saves as the Bruins defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-2, halting the Devils’ three-game winning streak.
“We’ve had a few games this year where we let leads slip away,” Marchand said. “So it was great to keep our composure tonight, put together a strong third period, and extend the lead.”
Erik Haula, Patrice Bergeron, and Jake DeBrusk also found the net, helping Boston snap a three-game road losing streak. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy contributed three assists, aiding Swayman in securing his third consecutive win.
“On the road, you often have to weather the storm because the home team will push, and they did,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, noting that five players are in their first season with the team. “In the third, we got the empty-netter, extended the lead, and that’s how you want to finish a game as a coach.”
New Jersey’s rookies Dawson Mercer and Jesper Bratt each had a goal and an assist, with Andreas Johnsson adding two assists.
“We’ve won a few games by getting pucks to the net, but tonight we didn’t get many second chances,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. “We made two nice plays on our goals but didn’t generate enough from other opportunities.”
Boston took control early, with Haula scoring his first goal of the season at 17:37 of the first period.
Marchand made it 2-0 early in the second period with a power-play goal, but Mercer quickly responded 28 seconds later, finishing off a fast counterattack for his fifth goal of the season.
Marchand restored the Bruins’ two-goal lead just over two minutes later, capitalizing on a rebound to beat Jonathan Bernier, who finished with 31 saves.
Bratt brought the Devils within one, scoring with 36 seconds left in the second period off a pass from Mercer. However, Bergeron pushed the lead to 4-2 midway through the third, tapping in a rebound from a David Pastrnak shot. DeBrusk sealed the game with an empty-net goal.
Ruff smiled when asked if he gets tired of seeing Boston’s top line of Marchand, Pastrnak, and Bergeron.
“They’re the kind of guys you wish were on your team so you wouldn’t have to face them,” Ruff said. “To win, you must do your best to limit their impact.”
Game Notes:
- Marchand’s two-goal performance was his 50th multi-goal game with Boston, tying him for fifth in franchise history alongside Patrice Bergeron.
- McAvoy has registered at least two assists in the last five games.
- Boston improved to 2-4 on the road.
- Devils forward Tyce Thompson was sidelined after being injured in Thursday’s win over the Islanders.
UP NEXT:
- Bruins: Return home to host the Canadiens on Sunday.
- Devils: Head to New York to face the Rangers on Sunday.
