Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Bruins bounce back with impressive road win in Toronto

By Matt Dolloff
Mar 4, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha (18) celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs with Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk (74) and defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (48) and defenseman Mason Lohrei (6) during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins rebounded nicely from one of their ugliest losses of the season, powering through a much-needed, impressive 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night at Scotiabank Arena.

Pavel Zacha scored twice in the win, including a well-timed insurance goal in the third period. David Pastrnak mostly played the role of setup man, as he drew the eyeballs of multiple defenders every time he touched the puck, and made the most of it with three assists.

Goaltender Jeremy Swayman, meanwhile, stopped 32-of-33 Leafs shots to earn his 20th win of the season. In what they hope to be a turning point amid their recent struggles, the Bruins won on the road in regulation for the first time since Jan. 27 in Philadelphia.

Check out a recap of the top highlights below…

Bruins score first

The Bruins jumped to a 1-0 advantage after a key sequence in the first period. They killed off a penalty in impressive fashion, then rode that momentum to a goal just 1:25 after finishing off the PK.

David Pastrnak drew a lot of attention with the puck at the top of the faceoff circle, then passed it to an open Morgan Geekie. He tipped the puck home for first blood.

  • Pavel Zacha scores for a 2-0 lead

    Then, just 2:59 after Geekie’s score, the Bruins struck again. And again, off a Pastrnak assist. This time, on a power play, Jake DeBrusk drew the defenders then passed it off to Pastrnak, who fed it to Pavel Zacha in the slot.

    Zacha finished off the golden opportunity for his 13th goal of the season and a 2-0 lead for the Bruins.

  • DeBrusk scores to make it 3-0

    It was just over five minutes into the second period that the B’s extended their lead. Jake DeBrusk did the scoring this time.

    Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle led the rush through the neutral zone and into the Toronto end, then Coyle fed it cross-ice to DeBrusk, who fired a wrister top-shelf to finish off the play. The goal marked only DeBrusk’s second over his last 16 games, as the winger will hope this is a slump-buster.

  • Swayman, Carlo come up big

    Swayman made 32 saves in the win. Here he is making two monster saves during a Leafs power play, via Conor Ryan:

    Not to be outdone, Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo played goaltender for a clutch play. Watch below as Carlo swipes the puck away just before it crossed the line, saving a goal himself.

  • Tavares breaks the shutout, Zacha answers

    It wasn’t until early in the third period that the Maple Leafs finally broke Swayman’s shutout bid. John Tavares fired a similar shot to DeBrusk’s goal past Swayman to momentarily make the game interesting at 3-1.

    But about midway through the third – after a Leafs surge in the Bruins’ end, no less – Zacha grabbed his second of the game for an insurance goal. Zacha smacked home a Pastrnak shot attempt for the rebound goal and a 4-1 advantage for the B’s.

  • (Click here to subscribe to the Sports Hub Underground podcast.)

    Up Next: The Bruins have a quick turnaround, as they’ll head back to Boston for a Tuesday night home matchup against the Edmonton Oilers.

    Get complete Boston Bruins coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

    Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content.

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.
Tags
,,,