After struggling to close out recent games, the Boston Bruins found their groove with a solid performance against the New Jersey Devils.
David Pastrnak and Matt Grzelcyk each scored twice, while Brad Marchand added three assists to lead the Bruins to a 5-1 victory over the Devils on Tuesday night.
Tuukka Rask stopped 25 shots, and the Bruins pulled away in the third period, scoring three goals to turn a close contest into a decisive win. The victory was Boston’s second in seven games (2-2-3), and it bounced back from recent disappointments, including a blown four-goal lead against Florida and a late collapse against Washington.
“We tightened up defensively and made the most of our chances,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. “We simplified things on the power play and capitalized when needed.”
Pastrnak, who now leads the NHL with 19 goals in 21 games, continued his hot streak, netting 17 goals in his last 16 games. Grzelcyk, a defenseman with only six goals in his first 149 NHL games, scored twice in his 150th game.
“We learned from our mistakes in the last game, and we played the right way in the third period,” Pastrnak said. “We controlled the game, so we came out on top.”
Blake Coleman scored the lone goal for New Jersey, which fell short of securing its first three-game winning streak since December 2018. Mackenzie Blackwood made 23 saves for the Devils, starting for the 12th time in 14 games.
“We weren’t aggressive enough. We came out flat with no excuses,” Coleman admitted. “We knew this game’s importance but didn’t show it.”
Boston jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, with Marchand assisting on goals by Grzelcyk and Pastrnak just 14 seconds apart.
Coleman cut the deficit to 2-1 late in the second period, but the Bruins dominated the third. Pastrnak scored his second-night goal on a power play early in the period, capitalizing on a penalty by P.K. Subban.
“We needed a big penalty kill, and we didn’t get it,” said Devils captain Andy Greene. “That gave them the momentum.”
Grzelcyk extended the lead to 4-1 after stripping the puck from Subban and beating Blackwood in close. Connor Clifton added a goal with a point shot, sealing the win.
Despite missing top-line center Patrice Bergeron, who sat out with an undisclosed injury, the Bruins’ offense didn’t miss a beat. David Krejci filled in for Bergeron, contributing to a line that tallied seven points.
Game notes:
- Devils goaltender Cory Schneider cleared waivers and was assigned to Binghamton (AHL).
- Bruins forwards Brett Ritchie and Jake DeBrusk returned to the lineup after missing five games due to injuries.
- Coleman played in his 200th game and extended his point streak to four games.
Up Next:
- Bruins: Host the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.
- Devils: Visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday.
