BOSTON — The Bruins dominated play for most of Saturday night’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden, and they came away with a deserved 3-2 win.
The loss extends Toronto’s skid to five games, while Boston now has won back-to-back matchups over Atlantic Division opponents.
Here’s a snapshot of Bruins-Leafs.
CHANGE ON D
Joe Morrow entered the lineup in place of Colin Miller and began the game alongside veteran defenseman Dennis Seidenberg. It was Morrow’s fourth game played since Dec. 7.
THAT WAS QUICK
Bruins center Patrice Bergeron opened the scoring just 45 seconds in. He made a beautiful deke to beat Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier. It was his 16th goal of the season and snapped a five-game goalless drought.
Boston was one of three teams — the Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues were the others — to score within the first minute of Saturday’s games.
Leafs center Leo Komarov answered answered less than four minutes later to tie the score. It was his team-leading 16th goal of the season and snapped a 10-game goalless drought.
THROWIN’ DOWN
UFC Fight Night at the Garden isn’t until Sunday, but Bruins forward Zac Rinaldo and Leafs forward Rich Clune provided some entertainment with a first-period bout along the Toronto bench.
TWICE IS NICE
Bergeron scored his second goal of the game even quicker than his first-period tally. He deflected a Zdeno Chara shot from the point that trickled past Bernier and into the net just 39 seconds into the second period.
But just like the first period, the Leafs responded with the equalizer. Toronto forward Shawn Matthias scored at 17:16 of the frame to knot the score 2-2.
A GAME OF INCHES
Bruins winger Brad Marchand appeared to give his team a 3-2 lead in the third period, but his goal was wiped out after Leafs head coach Mike Babcock challenged the play looking for a missed offside. It was so, so close, but it looked like the correct call was made.
PENALTY KILL STILL HOT
The Bruins couldn’t buy a call throughout the night and didn’t go on a power play until about midway through the third period.
They did, however, excel on the penalty kill with a perfect 4-for-4 mark. Boston struggled on the PK to begin the season, but it’s been lights out of late. The Bruins are 48-for-50 on the penalty kill since Dec. 7, when they allowed two power-play goals to the Nashville Predators.
THIS ONE STANDS
After having a goal taken away because of a coach’s challenge earlier in the period, Marchand scored the game-winner with 47 seconds remaining in regulation. It was his 16th goal of the season.
UP NEXT
The Bruins have a few days to prepare for a Tuesday night matchup with the rival Canadiens in Montreal. It’s the final Bruins-Habs game of the regular season.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports. Fight video via Twitter/@cupofchowdah
