Bruins, back on a winning streak, host the Blue Jackets.
December 3 – When the Columbus Blue Jackets visit Boston on Sunday night, the Bruins will attempt to win their third straight game and second in as many nights.
Boston’s three-game losing streak ended last Monday with a 5-2 loss in Columbus, and the team has since won over San Jose and Toronto.
The Bruins started a back-to-back Saturday in Toronto, winning 4-3 on captain Brad Marchand’s goal with eight seconds left in overtime. Marchand has been without a goal in his previous eight appearances.
Though an Auston Matthews goal with six seconds remaining in the third period forced overtime, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery was happy with his team’s overall effort, which included a faster pace of play and improved defense.
“This was the best game we’ve played in a while, maybe two weeks,” said Montgomery. “Sometimes you need to face some hard times to realize it’s not always going to come easy.”
David Pastrnak led the way with a three-point night, including his team-high 14th goal of the season and two assists, as well as 10 shots on goal.
Boston has generated 37 shots in back-to-back games and at least 30 in four straight after falling short of the latter mark three times in a row.
After three healthy scratches in seven games, defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk scored his first goal as a Bruin, giving Boston a 2-0 lead at the moment.
“I wasn’t playing aggressive enough offensively, and Monty conveyed that to me,” Shattenkirk stated in a statement. “He trusts me to see those lanes and play ahead of time. He encourages all of us to do this as defensemen.”
Linus Ullmark (37 saves) was the Bruins’ final line of defense against the Leafs. If Montgomery maintains his near-even goaltender rotation, Jeremy Swayman will be back in net on Sunday.
Columbus has won four of its last six games, snapping a nine-game losing streak (0-7-2) with four consecutive goals in Friday’s 4-2 victory over Ottawa.
The Blue Jackets’ first multi-goal comeback win of the season came after a 4-2 setback to Montreal on Wednesday, in which they allowed the final three goals.
Adam Fantilli scored the game-winning goal in the second period against Ottawa, but Elvis Merzlikins (41 saves) was the hero who made the comeback possible despite Columbus being outshot 43-23.
“We had a few things in place that we wanted to improve on, and the guys embraced the challenge,” Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent said. “We basically remained in the game. Without Elvis, I’m not sure we’d witness the same final.
The game marked the debut of a new all-Russian line that included 2020 first-round pick Yegor Chinakhov on the left wing, Dmitri Voronkov in the center, and Kirill Marchenko on the right.
Prior to Friday’s game-tying goal by Voronkov, Chinakov had scored in straight games.
“Scoring goals helps you have fun, and everybody wants to score,” Chinakhov told reporters. “I want it, but I need more. It gives you some confidence, and you feel better.”
Merzlikins has won three of his last five starts, recording 40 saves in two of them.
“The corporation recognized potential in him. “He’s incredibly talented,” Vincent stated. “He’s a very intense guy. He’s passionately invested in the game, and his hockey reads are excellent. He competes fiercely.
