Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Oct 24, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) makes a save on Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) during the second period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Swayman stopped all 23 shots against him for his 10th career shutout, as the Boston Bruins beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0 at United Center on Tuesday night. The win marked the sixth straight for the Bruins to begin the 2023-24 season, tying a franchise record, and finished off a perfect 4-0 Western Conference road trip.

Boston out-shot Chicago 43-23 on the night, dominating possession and shot attempts in addition to getting Swayman’s stout goaltending. Swayman is now 3-0 on the season, and with the shutout, he raised his save percentage to .957 and lowered his goals against average to 1.34.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 24: Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at the United Center on October 24, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 24: Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at the United Center on October 24, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The game’s first goal didn’t come until nearly 14 minutes into the game – or so it seemed. Initially, Blackhawks star rookie Connor Bedard took advantage of a Charlie Coyle giveaway right to him in the slot and ripped an absolute rocket past Swayman. But the Bruins challenged for offside, and the officials ended up overturning Bedard’s goal after determining that the Blackhawks’ Andreas Athanasiou entered the zone offside leading up to the score.

Chicago wasn’t able to redeem the lost goal by the end of the first period, as the teams took a scoreless game into the first intermission. Boston held an 11-8 shots on goal advantage through 20 minutes, but multiple bad turnovers contributed to a 2-3 deficit in high-danger scoring chances.

  • Not only did the Bruins challenge their way out of allowing a goal, they eventually potted the first of the game, and this one counted. Bruins forward Pavel Zacha found his way to the net front then deflected a low point shot from Kevin Shattenkirk, jumping the B’s out to a 1-0 lead 3:50 into the second period.

    The goal marked Zacha’s first of the season through six games, and Shattenkirk’s first point as a Bruin.

  • The Bruins’ scoring wasn’t a result of luck so much as production. They out-shot the Blackhawks 18-7 in the second period, including 16-6 at five-on-five.

    After a shaky open to the third period, the Bruins struck with an insurance goal, thanks to their precocious rookie center. Matt Poitras hustled up ice and beat 38-year-old Corey Perry to a loose puck in the neutral zone, then broke straight to the net and fired it past Blackhawks goalie Petr Mrazek for a breakaway goal to make it 2-0. Poitras now has three goals in his last two games after lighting the lamp twice in a win over the Ducks.

  • Just 56 seconds later, the Bruins pulled out to a 3-0 lead after the team’s new-look line of James van Riemsdyk, Charlie Coyle, and Trent Frederic combined for a goal. Coyle got the first shot on target, then Frederic buried a heads-up backhand feed from van Riemsdyk as both crashed the net.

    Frederic now has two goals in six games, a 27-goal pace in the early-going.

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    The Bruins’ six straight wins to open the season tied the record set by the 1937-38 team. They are within striking distance of the league record of 10, last hit by the Buffalo Sabres in 2006-07.

    Up Next: The Bruins return home Thursday night for a rematch with the Anaheim Ducks at TD Garden.

    Click here for 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 here.

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