More than a number of sensible hockey folks felt the Bruins could be OK if they might simply preserve their head above the waves to begin the season whereas their injured gamers recuperated and received again within the lineup.
But as an alternative of merely treading water, the B’s are positively freestylin’ proper now.
In a recreation that had the trace of a scheduled “L” to it earlier than it began – the second half of a back-to-back, with out David Krejci (higher physique) and Brad Marchand (predetermined evening off following hip surgical procedure) – the B’s exploded for a three-goal second interval to crush the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-0 at Nationwide Arena on Friday.
The victory put the ending touches on the B’s October portion of their schedule at 8-1, the perfect opening month the franchise has ever loved. Linus Ullmark improved to 6-0 with a 30-save shutout, his first of the season.
Unlike the the primary time they performed a second half of a back-to-back final week in Ottawa, the B’s have been prepared from the drop of the puck, taking part in on their toes and taking a 1-0 lead within the first.
That’s to not say they didn’t want good goaltending. Ullmark was wonderful within the first, particularly on a Columbus energy play, making a handful of Grade A saves. Ullmark made 12 stops in all within the first.
And shortly after the B’s killed off the Columbus benefit, the B’s took their first lead at 8:43. David Pastrnak did a tour of the offensive zone earlier than sending a cross out excessive that went off Pavel Zacha and Taylor Hall to Matt Grzelcyk on the left level. Grzelcyk took the all the way down to the circle, threw one pump faux after which beat Elvis Merzlikins by means of a crowd and to the glove facet. It was the defenseman’s first purpose of the season however fourth level within the fifth recreation since coming back from shoulder surgical procedure.
The B’s then took a 2-0 lead on their first shorthanded purpose of the season. Charlie Coyle knocked Johnny Gaudreau and headed out on what seemed like a 2-on-1 with Pavel Zacha. When Columbus received again to mitigate the odd-man scenario, Coyle lower from the fitting wing by means of the slot after which beat Merzlikins to the shortside with a backhander, his third purpose of the season and second in as many video games.
The B’s stretched it to 3-0 at 15:07 on one other unassisted purpose. Jake DeBrusk, who has had a superb begin to the season, blocked a shot from rookie Kent Johnson out excessive within the Boston zone and took off on a breakaway, beating Merzlikins on a snap shot over the glove.
They weren’t completed, because the B’s delivered the dagger with a last-minute purpose. With 27 seconds left within the interval, Pastrnak – who had been all around the ice with out something to point out for it on the scoresheet – collected an aerial feed from Patrice Bergeron within the impartial zone and made a deliberate rush up the left wing. Using defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov as a display screen, Pastrnak wristed a shot by means of the D-man’s legs to beat Merzlikins shortside for his seventh of the season. That could be it for Merzlikins, who gave solution to Daniil Tarasov.
Meanwhile, the B’s did a significantly better of preserving pucks off Ullmark, who noticed solely seven photographs to the 15 that the B’s pelted Merzlikins with.
In the third, the B’s didn’t give the Jackets a lot till a late energy play, throughout which Ullmark flashed his glove a few occasions to protect his shutout. …
Coach Jim Montgomery stated Krejci is “day-to-day” along with his higher physique harm however that extra can be recognized on Saturday when some imaging is completed.
Meanwhile, Red Wings’ ahead Michael Rasmussen was suspended two video games for the “reckless” high-stick of Krejci within the second interval on the play through which the centerman, although it’s not clear whether or not it was the high-stick or the unique verify that injured Krejci.
Source: www.bostonherald.com