BOSTON — Jake DeBrusk and the Bruins improved their point streak to 11 games with 2-1 victory following a tremendous third-period effort in the 2023 NHL Winter Classic against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Fenway Park on Monday.
Boston, which is 8-0-3 during those 11 games, now is 29-4-4 on the season. Pittsburgh dropped to 19-12-6 on the campaign.
You can find the box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
It certainly wasn’t an offensive onslaught through the first two periods for the Bruins, but a pair of third-period goals off the stick of DeBrusk helped them to a victory.
DeBrusk tied the game on a gutsy effort at 7:46 of the third period before scoring what proved to be the game-winner at 17:36. DeBrusk’s first goal came just seconds after Boston was on a third-period power play, allowing the Black and Gold to build some momentum they went much of the game without. DeBrusk, who appeared a bit hobbled just before the tally after he went down in front of the crease, received a pass from Brad Marchand and stuffed in a low shot past Pittsburgh goaltender Casey DeSmith.
DeBrusk’s second tally was assisted by Taylor Hall and David Krejci. Hall slid a slick feed to DeBrusk for the game-winner.
DeBrusk also sounded one of two Boston shots off the post in the contest. He did so at 7:40 of the first period before Charlie Coyle did so with less than six minutes remaining in regulation and the score tied 1-all.
Boston held a 29-26 edge in shots on goal after Pittsburgh held a 14-10 advantage in the category after the first period.
STARS OF THE GAME
— As mentioned, DeBrusk was Boston’s first star of the contest.
— Linus Ullmark contributed his most recent solid performance. Ullmark saved 24 of the first 25 shots he faced while his deflection on a 1-on-1 between Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin and Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy in the first period helped Boston avoid an early deficit.
— Kasperi Kapanen got the Penguins on the board at 8:40 of the second period. The Bruins lost track of Kapanen in front of the net after losing a puck battle on the end boards. Former Bruin Danton Heinen and Jeff Carter earned the assists on the goal.
WAGER WATCH
Those who bet the Under on the total at over/under 6 were dealt an easy Winter Classic win. Both teams entered the contest 17-19 against the Over, per Action Network, but never came close as the game was scoreless for nearly 30 minutes. DraftKings Sportsbook revealed Monday that 66% of the handle and 65% of bets were on the Over.
UP NEXT ON NESN
The Bruins return to the ice in Los Angeles on Thursday as they travel to face the Kings. You can watch full coverage of Thursday’s game on NESN with pregame starting at 9:30 p.m. ET before 10:30 p.m. puck drop.
