NEWARK, N.J. -- A late, lucky-bounce goal by Adam McQuaid proved to be the game-winner as the Boston Bruins posted a 5-3 victory in a bizarre game against the New Jersey Devils Sunday night at Prudential Center.
The Bruins haven’t lost consecutive games since Nov. 11-15. Goalie Anton Khudobin was outstanding in the second game of a back-to-back and stifled quality chances all night. He finished with 35 saves.
Pregame notes.
The last time these two teams played, Bruins forward Brad Marchand was suspended five games for his elbow to the head of Devils' Marcus Johansson, who has since missed seven games due to a concussion. It'll be interesting to see the reception Marchand receives tonight both on and off the ice.
Since the Bruins are completing their 10th of 14 sets of back-to-back games, Anton Khudobin will start against the Devils. Boston is 4-3-2 this season in the second game of a back-to-back. Khudobin helped the Bruins to a 6-1 win over the Rangers on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden and he's 4-1-2 in his last seven games. Overall, he's 11-3-4 in 19 games this season, including a 2.28 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage. He's 4-2-0, with a 2.73 GAA and an .894 SP in seven career games against the Devils.
The Bruins played one of their worst games of the season against the Sabres, so Boston is looking to rebound in a big way. The Bruins need a better start and need to score first. They've scored the first goal only twice in the last 13 games.
Noel Acciari, who has missed the last seven games with a lower-body injury, returns to the lineup. As a result, Austin Czarnik was assigned to Providence.
Observations from the third period.
- With 38.9 seconds remaining, Marchand had the puck at center ice when the Devils' Damon Severson put a big hit on No. 63. It was clean.
- Bruins kill it off as the Devils don't register a shot on net.
- With the Bruins holding a 4-3 lead with 5:42 remaining, Patrice Bergeron is called for delay of game.
- That goal was similar to the one Adam McQuaid scored during the 2013 Eastern Conference finals.
- Matt Grzelcyk can't buy a goal.
- Can tell both that both teams played last night.
- Jimmy Hayes only takes a shot at David Backes after he's facedown on the ice. That's a bad call. At least call it on both players.
- Khudobin is playing outstanding.
- Great save by Eddie Lack to deny David Pastrnak, who attempted to go five-hole.
- David Pastrnak did not play the final 4:05 of the period. Yes, the Bruins had a penalty in that span and David Backes remained with David Krejci.
- Khudobin with another outstanding glove save to keep this game tied at 3-3 with 4:05 remaining in the period.
- Cassidy tweaking the lines a bit. Now Backes playing with Krejci and Ryan Spooner.
- Great goal from Kyle Palmieri with an assist going to Taylor Hall as the Devils tie it at 3-3. Buckle up because this game is only going to get more interesting.
- Outstanding puck movement and Matt Grzelcyk nearly pumps one in but Devils goalie Eddie Lack makes a glove save to stifle the scoring chance.
- Jake DeBrusk draws his second penalty of the game. That's what happens when you keep your legs moving.
- Wow. Just like that Torey Krug scores on a one-timer from the point, and with the help of a Marchand screen, Bruins have a 3-2 lead.
- Devils' Drew Stafford with an elbow to Krug's head and the Bruins get another power play.
- Taylor Hall scores only 31 seconds into the second period to tie the game at 2-2. That was a play that Marchand should have stepped up and taken the body. Maybe he is overthinking the way he plays due to his recent suspension and the fact that he's playing against the Devils.
- Tim Schaller appears to have a shorthanded goal in the closing seconds of the period. Play is under review. Now that's playing to the buzzer. And, it's a good goal.
- Acciari showing zero signs of rust.
- Second penalty of the game for Adam McQuaid. This time he's going off for roughing. That's two tough calls on the defenseman tonight.
- Out of the penalty box, the Devils' Miles Wood goes on a breakaway and beats Khudobin to the five-hole. Khudobin thought about going out to play the puck but decided to stay home.
- With a 1-0 lead and 5:41 remaining in the first, the Bruins get another power play.
- Boston's forecheck coming around.
- A shorthanded own-goal by the Devils gives the Bruins a 1-0 lead.
- Tough tripping penalty for McQuaid. Was trying to make a play on the puck.
- Bruins just announced Czarnik has been assigned to Providence.
- Devils with an odd-man, shorthanded rush that Patrice Bergeron breaks up but he's called for a penalty and NJ gets a penalty shot. Khudobin stops Travis Zajac.
- David Pastrnak draws a cross-checking penalty and the Bruins get the first power play of the game. Another area they need to be better than they were on Saturday.
- Like the fact that Brandon Carlo has been shooting a lot more of late.
- Rare turnover by Patrice Bergeron and Wood with a golden opportunity, but Khudobin with a timely glove save.
- Taylor Hall with a breakaway but can't control a rolling puck and the Bruins are fortunate on that one.
- Acciari doesn't waste any time and makes his presence felt on his first shift.