BOSTON — Bruins captain Brad Marchand might have tallied his first aim of the season and closed out the Toronto Maple Leafs with an empty-net aim with simply over a minute left in regulation.
That didn’t occur, although. Marchand acquired tied up and was known as for offsides earlier than he might hearth off a shot.
However when the Maple Leafs pressured extra time, Marchand didn’t miss his second likelihood at placing away Toronto for good.
Marchand acquired his alternative following a horrible turnover from the Maple Leafs of their defensive zone and a feed from David Pastrnak. The Bruins captain had his preliminary shot on the doorstep stopped by Toronto goalie Anthony Stolarz, however Marchand flipped within the free puck to raise the Bruins to a thrilling 4-3 extra time win over their Authentic Six rival at TD Backyard on Saturday night time.
It actually was fairly the way in which for Marchand to internet his long-awaited first aim of the season as he additionally took sole possession of third place in franchise historical past for all-time game-winning targets.
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“I hoped it was going to occur on the empty-netter, I acquired to be trustworthy,” Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery mentioned. “You would inform how glad the bench was after we scored that aim. He’s our chief, he’s somebody that embodies what it’s to be a Bruin — the suitable approach. The way in which he carries himself on the ice, off the ice, all the pieces.”
Marchand felt the burden of his goalless drought as every recreation handed. It was the longest stretch with no aim to start out a season since his first full yr with the Bruins in 2010-11.
“Yeah it’s,” Marchand mentioned when requested if it felt like he acquired the monkey off his again. “I’ve been by way of many various stretches in my profession good and unhealthy. You bought to remain even-keeled. I wasn’t getting too caught up in it. However it’s good to get that one out of the way in which, for positive.”
The Bruins wanted it, too, having entered the competition on a three-game shedding streak and letting a late lead go when Auston Matthews scored with 1:17 left in regulation. However Marchand, who moved right into a tie with Rick Middleton for fourth-most targets all-time in Bruins historical past, didn’t sense any panic from the bench after the Maple Leafs notched the equalizer.
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After which Marchand made positive to return by way of for his teammates whereas additionally entering into the scoring column himself.
“Excellent timing,” Pastrnak mentioned.
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Listed below are extra notes from Saturday’s Bruins-Maple Leafs recreation:
— Pastrnak has his signature look again, but it surely has nothing to do along with his hair. Pastrnak chipped his enamel towards the Maple Leafs when he took a excessive stick with the face from William Nylander.
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“The outdated look is again,” Pastrnak mentioned. “Can’t wait for one more go to to the dentist.”
Pastrnak additionally opened up the scoring for the Bruins with a power-play aim within the second interval. It was Pastrnak’s thirtieth profession aim towards the Maple Leafs, his most towards any franchise.
— Justin Brazeau wasn’t within the Bruins lineup for 2 of three video games on Boston’s most up-to-date street journey. However his response to being a wholesome scratch was wonderful. He introduced large power on either side of the ice towards the Maple Leafs and scored his second aim in as many video games.
“I believe it was simply getting again to what I do,” Brazeau mentioned. “Clearly, I don’t suppose I fairly had the beginning that I wished. I knew I might play and I knew I might get again and I might assist this workforce.”
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— Montgomery admitted he noticed one thing out of his workforce previous to the sport towards the Maple Leafs that had been lacking as of late.
“The group was free this morning, which I used to be glad to see,” Montgomery mentioned. “They hadn’t been free shortly. You hadn’t seen smile on our faces within the morning skate — we noticed that. We had a number of power. Constructive power creates good attitudes and good attitudes creates good habits. The motivation comes simply then to play the suitable approach.”
— The Bruins shut out their three-game homestand Tuesday towards the Philadelphia Flyers, who’re in final place within the Japanese Convention. Puck drop from TD Backyard is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. You’ll be able to watch the sport, plus an hour of pregame protection, on NESN.
