The Boston Bruins came back from a 1-0 deficit on the strength of two third-period goals by Jake DeBrusk, taking the 2023 Winter Classic over the Pittsburgh Penguins by a 2-1 final on Monday at Fenway Park.

The first two periods were a grind for both teams, as good opportunities were hard to come by. High-danger scoring chances at 5-on-5 were just 5-4 in favor of the Bruins. But it was the Penguins who were able to capitalize on one of those opportunities. After Penguins center Jeff Carter stripped Bruins defenseman Connor Clifton of the puck behind the net, winger Danton Heinen was able to gather it and feed it in front to Kasperi Kapanen for the one-timer and the first goal of the Winter Classic.

But for the Penguins, Jeff Carter giveth and taketh away. Because in the third period, the Bruins finally broke through, thanks to a slick move from Brad Marchand to get around Carter and fire the puck toward the net. Jake DeBrusk was there to clean up the rebound and sweep the puck through Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith. DeSmith had come into the game in the first period after an injury forced Tristan Jarry out of the game.

The goal was DeBrusk’s 15th of the season. After his 16th, he’s on pace for 36 goals, which would be a new career-high.

The Bruins continued what’s been a theme of theirs in the 2022-23 season, which was their innate ability to create momentum off their own success. They controlled much of the action after DeBrusk’s tying goal, and it led to his game-winner as well. Taylor Hall saved one of his best dangles of the season for the third period, weaving his way to the net-front before DeBrusk finished another rebound for the eventual game-winner.

The Bruins are now 29-4-4 through 37 games. They get a couple of days between games, before taking on the Kings out in Los Angeles to kick off a four-game west coast road trip. 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. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.