Bruins top Leafs with Marchand game-winner in overtime

The Boston Bruins got a much-needed bounce-back win on Saturday night, topping the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime at TD Garden. Captain Brad Marchand stuffed home the game-winner in overtime, his first goal of the season.

The Bruins got the start they were looking for in terms of puck possession, as they out-shot the Leafs 10-5 in an ultimately scoreless first period. But the story of the opening 20 minutes was that the B's held a significant 21-7 advantage in five-on-five shot attempts, as they consistently got pucks deep in the offensive zone and generated a strong forecheck with all four lines.

Boston also continued to commit unnecessary penalties, however, and this time had to kill off more than three minutes of shorthanded time, including a 5-on-3. Swayman made two saves during the 5-on-3, and the B's were able to kill it off and get out of the period without allowing a goal.

The Leafs did ultimately find a way to be first on the scoreboard, as Matthew Knies cleaned up a rebound off a Mitch Marner attempt to give his team a 1-0 lead. But the Bruins quickly answered after going on the power play, as Pastrnak finished a one-timer from his classic spot in the faceoff circle to tie the game back up at 1-1.

Just under five minutes after the Pastrnak goal, the Leafs went back on top during a 4-on-4 period. Toronto defenseman Morgan Rielly pinched down by the faceoff circle and received a laser of a pass from Marner for a one-timer and his second goal of the season, to put his team back on top at 2-1.

The Bruins responded to their latest adversity, and in rapid, resounding fashion. First, Justin Brazeau cleaned up a second rebound attempt after his linemates at the time (Matthew Poitras and Trent Frederic) were both stopped, potting his second goal in as many games to tie it back up at 2-2.

Just 36 seconds later, the Bruins' still-hot fourth line found a spark. After Cole Koepke gained the zone entry, Mark Kastelic parked himself at the net-front, far-side, with no one covering him. Johnny Beecher retrieved the puck from the corner and made a quick-strike backhand pass to Kastelic, who buried it to put the B's up 3-2.

The B's came within 1:17 of sealing a regulation victory, but with the net empty, the Leafs finally found the equalizer. The defense let Auston Matthews (of all people)_get behind them to the net-front, then Marner fed him down low for his third assist of the game and Matthews' fourth goal of the season. Toronto generated more scoring chances in the final minute, but the puck stayed out of the net to take the game to overtime.

Pastrnak took advantage of a loose puck in the offensive zone to set up the game-winner for Marchand, who shoveled in a rebound to lift the B’s to victory.

Up Next: The Bruins get a couple days between games, before getting back to action on Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.