The Bruins notched their third win in a row Thursday with a 5-1 stomping of the Devils at Prudential Center, stopping New Jersey’s four-game win streak dead in its tracks.
Boston’s top line had a stellar evening, scoring three of the team’s five goals. David Pastrnak even got into the scoring action in his second contest back from a 16-game absence, earning a goal and assist.
Tuukka Rask stopped 21 of 22 shots, while Cory Schneider blocked 22 shots for the Devils.
The Bruins now are 45-20-9, maintaining their second place position in the Eastern Conference. The loss dropped the Devils to just 27-39-9.
Here is how it all went down:
BRUINS SCORE EARLY
The Bruins got off to a fast start and were first on the board thanks to a goal from Bergeron with 1:26 left in the period.
With Devils defensemen Andy Greene left without a stick in his own zone, Pastrnak flipped the puck over to Bergeron, who patiently was waiting in front of the net. It was Bergeron’s 29th goal of the season.
BOSTON HOLDS THEIR LEAD
The Bruins caught the Devils sleeping during the second period, scoring their second goal before the midway point of the frame.
After a face-off win in the offensive zone by Bergeron, Brad Marchand tossed the puck over to Pastrnak, who flicked a shot over Schneider’s glove to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead. It was the winger’s first goal since returning from a thumb injury.
But less than two minutes after Pastrnak’s goal, former Bruin Drew Stafford lit the lamp with a tally of his own. A failed attempt to clear the defensive zone by Jake DeBrusk landed right on the stick of Devils center Pavel Zacha, who fed Stafford the puck for a one-timer to cut the Bruins’ lead in half to 2-1.
BRUINS BREAK IT OPEN LATE
The Bruins didn’t let up on the gas in the third, extending their lead to 3-1 thanks to a strong effort from Boston’s third line just 29 seconds into the period.
Danton Heinen notched his 10th goal of the season after a blocked shot by Sean Kuraly ricocheted his way, allowing him to rush up ice and toss the puck by the right elbow of Schneider. Kuraly ended up with the assist on the play, though he did leave the game (and wouldn’t return) due to the puck drilling his hand.
Bergeron scored his 30th goal of the season on an empty netter with just 1:18 left in the game to make it 4-1. Not long after, David Backes scored his sixth of the season with just 22 seconds left.
The Bruins ended the match with 27 shots on net to the Devils’ 22.
UP NEXT
The Bruins will remain on the road for a tilt with the Florida Panthers on Saturday. Puck drop from BB&T Center is slated for 7 p.m.
