The Bruins entered tonight’s game as one of 11 teams to open the season undefeated. After wins over the Washington Capitals and Arizona Coyotes, they were facing their most challenging matchup yet, the Florida Panthers. The Bruins opened the season on fire offensively as they have scored 11 goals in 2 games and have had ten different players record a goal.
Tonight’s game was no different, as they jumped out to an early lead. Not much was known regarding Jake DeBrusk‘s wrist injury until 30 minutes prior to game time when he was spotted participating in warmups. DeBrusk got the nod on the top line as he made his return and presence known. Twenty-one seconds into the first period DeBrusk made a great steal and rushed down the right side of the ice before burying a shot past Sergei Bobrovsky. This was DeBrusk’s first goal of the season and couldn’t have come at a better moment, as today is the young wingers’ birthday.
The Bruins entered the second period with a 1-0 lead and maintained that lead until 4:32 into the period the Panthers tied it up with a Sam Reinhart goal. The 1-1 tie wouldn’t last long as 12:35 into the second; Jake DeBrusk made his presence known once again with his speed and playmaking ability. Jake DeBrusk once again made a steal of the puck and raced side by side with a panthers player toward the net, where he finally gained control and made a fantastic pass. DeBrusk was able to find a streaking Bergeron, and the captain buried it home for his second of the season and 402nd of his career to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead.
The Bruins stayed in after the second goal and never looked back as they entered the third looking to put the game out of reach. David Pastrnak did precisely that to open the third with an unbelievable goal showcasing why he deserves the big payday heading his way.
Trent Frederic chipped in with a goal of his own, making it a 4-1 game. The young forward has looked great in his first two games after being a healthy scratch in the season opener. Frederic is looking to carve out a role on this team and take that step forward everyone has been waiting for.
The game got interesting as the Panthers buried two goals quickly, bringing the game to a 4-3 score with 1:37 left in the third. But it was Jake DeBrusk once again who answered the call as he buried an empty netter pushing the Bruins lead back to two goals and securing a 5-3 win.
3 Takeaways
In two starts, Linus Ullmark has proven himself to start the season as the Bruins 1A. For the Bruins to be victorious this season, they will need both Ullmark and Swayman playing at a high level, and so far, both goalies have done well. Ullmark finished tonight’s game, saving 37 of the 40 shots he faced, suitable for a .925 save percentage and the Bruins’ third win of the season. When the Bruins needed big saves, Ullmark delivered and has shown vast improvement from last season.
A happy DeBrusk is a productive DeBrusk. We all know the drama that unfolded last season between then-head coach Bruce Cassidy and Jake DeBrusk. Coming into this season, the Bruins wanted to focus on putting the young winger in the right spot from game one. DeBrusk is penciled in on the top line and will be going nowhere even when Brad Marchand makes his return. DeBrusk is a young talent that has proven he is a 20-plus goal scorer and has gotten off to a fabulous start to begin this season. His speed and motor drive his play, as he has no quit when on the ice. These attributes helped him finish the night with two goals and one assist as he was all over the ice and created opportunities not just for himself but for his teammates.
David Pastrnak deserves every penny the Bruins are going to pay him. Just his sheer presence on the ice opens up the game for his linemates, as he is capable of scoring every time he touches the puck. Defenses must respect, and even then, he finds a way to score like we saw tonight. Pasta is the future of this team, along with McAvoy and Swayman, and the Bruins must do everything humanly possible to lock him up long-term.
