In Boston, the Bruins scored six time in the middle frame on Thursday and downed the New Jersey Devils, 8-1.
“We tried to build some good habits in the third period [Tuesday], have a good working practice yesterday, carry it into tonight, and I think it did,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “I think it helped that it looked like New Jersey was trying to be physical early on, so that’s kind of the game we probably needed to get our attention as well, so it worked out both ways.”
Brad Marchand hit for two goals in the rout.
“These games don’t happen often,” Marchand said. “We did some good things, but at the same time we got puck luck, had good bounces, and capitalized on our opportunities. It’s a good game, but we kind of have to let this one go and prepare for the next one now.”
Boston’s Marc McLaughlin scored in his NHL debut, and
Linus Ullmark made 25 saves in the Boston win.
The Bruins moved to 42-20-5, and kept pace with the Toronto Maple Leafs who throttled the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.
Jack Hughes was the lone goal scorer for New Jersey.
“There’s a lot of things we can learn, obviously,” New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. “It’s one of those games again where we’re going to have to talk about puck management. But nobody’s on the outside of this. We all have a part in this one. Didn’t like the game of the group.”
New Jersey fell to 24-38-5.
“I got to give a lot of credit,” Ruff said. “They played well. They created turnovers, they put us in some tough positions. Physically, on some of the goals, they dominated us. … We had a part of it, but I’m going to give them credit for how hard they came out.”
Matt Grzelcyk and Jake DeBrusk scored around the Hughes goal for a 2-1 lead to Boston after one period.
Erik Haula, Marchand, and Patrice Bergeron scored in the second period to give Boston a 6-1 lead.
“They wanted to make a statement,” Ruff said. “It’s the same thing I talked to our team about after the game, this game is over. It’s ‘What is going to be the answer to this game?’ And there’s a lot of small details in the game, from our puck play to our [defensive] zone position that cost us goals.”
Marchand potted his second of the night, and McLaughlin and Taylor Hall added to the scoresheet for an 8-1 lead after two, and the final score.
“It was pretty special. I feel like I’ve lived that moment as a kid a hundred million times, down in my basement or shooting pucks,” McLaughlin said. “[Frederic] made a great pass right in my wheelhouse, and all I had to do was shoot it in.”
Nico Daws got the start for New Jersey and yielded five goals, and made 15 saves before getting the hook midway through the second period.
Jon Gillies made 17 saves in a mop up role.
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