Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

  • For 60 minutes, the Flames brought it to the Bruins.

    One of the most physical teams in the NHL, the Flames did their part to take the Bruins off their game and make them second-guess themselves every time they even tried to retrieve a puck or push the play the other way. But the Bruins matched it (and then some), and just kept coming at a Calgary squad that ended up fishing a David Pastrnak empty-net goal out of their cage by the end of the third period.

    It’s been one of those starts to the year for the Bruins.

    “Calgary came at us,” B’s coach Jim Montgomery said. “They were very physical. It was the most physical game we’ve been in. I liked the way we responded to the physicality and I just like the way we keep finding ways to win hockey games.”

    Here are the 98.5 The Sports Hub (dot com) 3 Stars from a win over the Flames

  • No. 3 Star: Daniel Vladar

    BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 10: Dan Vladar #80 of the Calgary Flames warms up before a game against the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden on November 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)

    BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 10: Dan Vladar #80 of the Calgary Flames warms up before a game against the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden on November 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)

  • Don’t let the final score fool you, because this one had some early blowout potential with the way the Bruins were generating looks on Flames netminder (and ex-Bruins prospect) Dan Vladar.

    But the 6-foot-5 netminder stood tall in Calgary’s crease, and kept this one close throughout. Hammered for 27 shots by the night’s end, Vladar was beat by Connor Clifton and Charlie McAvoy, and finished with stops on eight of the nine high-danger shots that the Bruins threw on his cage.

    Vladar’s strong showing in Boston continued what’s been a noticeable trend of sorts since the Bruins shipped him to Calgary in 2021, as he is 1-1-0 with a .964 in two games against the Bruins (both at TD Garden) and 13-8-2 with an .898 save percentage against every other team.

  • No. 2 Star: Nick Foligno

    BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 10: Nick Foligno #17 of the Boston Bruins yells after a fight during the second period against the Calgary Flames at the TD Garden on November 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins won 3-1. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)

    BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 10: Nick Foligno #17 of the Boston Bruins yells after a fight during the second period against the Calgary Flames at the TD Garden on November 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)

  • I’m pretty sure this is the first time we’ve had a ‘star’ without a point this season, but if there’s someone who earned it, it was Nick Foligno on Thursday night.

    Clifton’s goal doesn’t happen without Foligno tying up the Flames’ Dennis Gilbert in front of the Calgary goal, and Foligno provided the screen on the Charlie McAvoy goal that stood as the game-winning strike.

    Foligno also contributed a forward-leading three hits in this highly physical affair, and dropped the gloves with the Flames’ Kevin Rooney after he absolutely plastered Tomas Nosek into the boards.

    “I think Nick Foligno is having a great year,” Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery said after the win.You know, he’s helping us win in so many different ways. I can’t find him enough ice time.”

  • No. 1 Star: Linus Ullmark

    Nov 10, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) makes a save while Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin (55) looks on during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports

    Nov 10, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) makes a save while Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin (55) looks on during the second period at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports)

  • A ‘3 Stars’ staple, it was another fantastic effort from Linus Ullmark.

    In net for 32 shots against, only a seeing-eye shot from Noah Hanifin (and with a moving screen from Mikael Backlund) beat Ullmark from puck drop to final horn, and Ullmark came through with six stops on six shots thrown his way by the Calgary power play. Ullmark also went a perfect 6-for-6 on high-danger shots against at all-situation play, according to Natural Stat Trick.

    According to NHL Stats, Ullmark has matched Tuukka Rask, Tim Thomas, Gerry Cheevers, and Ross Brooks for the fewest decisions to hit the 10-win mark (Thursday was his 11th decision of the season). Ullmark also ranks second in team history for most wins (36) through 50 starts with the club, trailing only Brooks (37).

Sign me up for the 98.5 The Sports Hub email newsletter!

Get the latest Boston sports news and analysis, plus exclusive on-demand content and special giveaways from Boston's Home for Sports, 98.5 The Sports Hub.

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.