One Big Takeaway From Bruins Centennial Victory Over Canadiens

BOSTON — The Boston Bruins played their first game as an NHL franchise on Dec. 1, 1924, notching a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Maroons.

One hundred years later, the Bruins celebrated the culmination of their centennial season with a 6-3 win over the Canadiens on Sunday at TD Garden.

Charlie McAvoy and Charlie Coyle led the Bruins with two goals each in the victory. With the win, the Bruins improved to 12-11-3 on the season.

The Bruins exploded for three goals in a span of 70 seconds in the opening period to take an early 3-0 lead into the first intermission.

McAvoy opened the scoring for the Black and Gold with an uncontested wraparound tally past Canadiens goalie Cayden Primeau for his fourth goal of the season. David Pastrnak extended the Bruins’ lead with his ninth goal of the season just 55 seconds later. Coyle added to Boston’s lead with his sixth goal of the season to cap off the scoring in the first period 15 seconds after Pastrnak lit the lamp.

Boston came out for the second period, ready to knock Montreal out of the game. McAvoy potted his second of the game 38 seconds into the middle frame on a shorthanded breakaway that Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau couldn’t stop. The Bruins defenseman kissed the spoked-B crest on the front of his jersey as he slid on his knee and pumped his fist in celebration, giving Boston a 4-1 lead. McAvoy became the first defenseman to score a shorthanded goal since Connor Clifton back on Mar. 2, 2023. Coyle added his second of the game just 21 seconds into the third period.

The Canadiens made things interesting when they pulled within two goals with 13:22 remaining in the third period, but the Bruins were able to hold on and secure the win.

Jeremy Swayman turned aside the first nine Montreal shots he faced before Cole Caufield potted his 15th goal of the season in the second period. Swayman finished the night making 26 saves on 29 shots for his seventh win of the season.

The Bruins will wrap up their three-game homestand on Tuesday night when they host the Detroit Red Wings. Puck drop from TD Garden is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, and the game will air on ESPN.