Bruins bounce back with historic blowout win over Devils
On a night the Bruins honored recently retired goaltender Tuukka Rask, the home team poured it on against the New Jersey Devils’ hapless netminders in an 8-1 blowout win at TD Garden Thursday night. It was the Bruins’ highest scoring output since they netted eight against Montreal on Nov. 26, 2019.
The Bruins scored six of their eight goals in the second period. It marked the first time they scored six or more in a single frame since a 1983 win over the Blues (h/t Andrew Smith). Ray Bourque and Rick Middleton were among the scorers in that vintage onslaught.
Boston got goals from Matt Grzelcyk and Jake DeBrusk in the first period, but took a 2-1 lead to the intermission thanks to a Jack Hughes goal that sniped through a small opening over goalie Linus Ullmark. Bruins second-line center Erik Haula continued his recent hot streak when he made it 3-1 early in the second period.
The Bruins’ No. 1 line got the rout rolling with a pair of goals later in the period. Brad Marchand made it 4-1 on a one-timer from a Jake DeBrusk pass, then Patrice Bergeron followed that up minutes later with a goal off a deflection from the point. The fifth goal chased Devils goalie Nico Daws from the game, but the change didn’t make a difference, as Marchand scored his second goal of the period to make it 6-1.
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As if that weren’t enough, Marc McLaughlin scored his first career goal in his NHL debut to make it 7-1. The Billerica, Mass. native and former Boston College forward finished a heady cross-ice feed from Trent Frederic to extend the Bruins’ blowout. Taylor Hall added to the pile-on with his 16th goal of the season before the end of the second.
Defenseman Josh Brown, one of the Bruins’ trade deadline addition, logged 10:18 of ice time in his team debut and dished out one hit. He also endeared himself to fans by fighting the Devils’ Mason Geertsen on his first shift.
Watch above for full highlights from the game.
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