Four minutes and one second.
That’s how long it took for the Boston Bruins to score four goals against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first period, and the B’s eventually went on to win 5-2 at TD Garden on Thursday.
Here’s how it all went down.
GOAL PARTY
The Blue Jackets scored the first goal, but that’s about the only thing that went right for them.
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who entered the game winless in his career against Boston, didn’t even make it through the first period, as he was pulled after allowing four goals in a span of 4:01.
Perhaps even more encouraging than that for the Bruins, though, was the fact that none of the four goals came from the top six forwards.
Boston’s first goal also was the first of the season for the struggling Torey Krug, who fired a rocket from the point that got past Bobrovsky in no time.
And keeping with that theme, Matt Beleskey also scored his first goal of the season after some impressive work by Boston in the neutral zone set him up in the slot.
Linemate Austin Czarnik then put the B’s up 3-1 thanks to a little help from Riley Nash.
Tim Schaller capped it all off when he flicked one past Bobrovsky. Play one the ice initially continued without a goal call, but the referees eventually awarded Boston the goal after review.
ENCORE
OK, so only scoring one goal in a period isn’t quite as interesting as the four spot the Bruins put on the board in the first period, but it still was another encouraging play for Boston.
David Backes, who hadn’t scored since his two goals in the season opener, put the B’s up 5-1 with this nice one-timer:
OOPS…
The Blue Jackets pulled to within 5-2 in the third period on a goal that was credited to Sam Gagner. But that doesn’t tell the whole story, as Bruins defenseman Colin Miller actually accidentally directed the puck past goalie Tuukka Rask.
Despite that one hiccup, Rask finished the night with 15 saves. It was by no means an overly taxing night for the B’s netminder, but he did more than enough to help his team get back in the win column.
UP NEXT
The Bruins will head out West for a three-game road trip beginning Saturday night in Arizona against the Coyotes. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET. Boston then will have a quick turnaround with a road game against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
