BSJ Game Report: Bruins 5, Blue Jackets 2 - Haula’s 2 goals lifts Boston past Columbus

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Haula saves the day

Erik Haula has just about had it with your narratives that he’s not a capable second-line center on a Cup-contending club. 

The 31-year-old journeyman once again came up clutch for Boston on Saturday night, scoring two goals — including the eventual game-winner at 16:06 in the third period — en route to a 5-2 victory over the Blue Jackets. 

Despite the lopsided final score (a byproduct of two empty-net goals from Jake DeBrusk and Charlie Coyle), things were tight for most of the contest, with Boston unable to break a 2-2 deadlock for most of the third period despite limiting Columbus to just one shot on goal for the first 15 minutes of the frame.

But in the closing seconds of a power-play bid, Haula put the home club ahead for good — tipping a shot from Brandon Carlo past Elvis Merzlikins to make it a 3-2 game. In total, Saturday stood as Haula’s 40th game as Boston’s second-line pivot, with the veteran now up to 30 points during that stretch. For those keeping track, that’s a 60-plus point pace over a full 82-game clip. 

The Bruins will certainly take it.

Swayman fighting it

During this recent 16-3-1 surge, there haven’t been a whole lot of red flags that have sprouted up with this club — or at least ones that have carried over an extended stretch of games. Sure, the Bruins put together a stinker in that sieve-like showing against the Maple Leafs last Tuesday, but that sure seems more like a one-off mishap than an indictment on the flaws of this roster. 

But if you’re looking for one trend that might be raising the collective blood pressure of the Bruins, it might be in net, because Jeremy Swayman has cooled off a good deal since that heater he put forth following Tuukka Rask’s retirement.

After that shaky showing against the Maple Leafs in which he was pulled after two periods of play, the rookie netminder was sluggish out of the gate once again on Saturday, giving up two goals on Columbus’ first six shots of the evening. That weren’t exactly byproducts of some sterling offensive mastery from Columbus either, with the Blue Jackets burying their looks after Swayman failed to glove a puck and later coughed up a rebound down low.  

In total, over his last eight games, Swayman has a 6-2-0 record — but just a .887 save percentage during that stretch. 

Whether it be just falling into bad habits or perhaps  hitting a rookie “wall”, the Bruins desperately need Swayman to tighten things up. Linus Ullmark might be able to help Boston navigate through this choppy water right now, but they’re going to need a locked-in Swayman by the time the postseason rolls around.

THREE UP 

Erik Haula: In the six games since the trade deadline, EHaula has rewarded Boston’s faith in him as the club’s 2C by burying four goals and racking up 10 points. Not shabby.

Bergeron Line: The consistent production generated from both the Haula and Coyle lines has captured plenty of headlines as of late, but this top line is starting to really gain some traction together as well. A recent uptick in production from Jake DeBrusk (four goals, six points in his last four games) has definitely made a major difference, especially when it comes to puck retrievals and forcing turnovers in Grade-A ice. Keep sticking with that simple, straight-line style of game — and the points are going to keep on rolling in. 

Lindholm-McAvoy pairing: Ho hum, another strong night from Boston’s top D pairing — which was absolutely needed after some early struggles from both Forbort-Reilly and Matt Grzelcyk. In their 17:27 of 5v5 ice time together, the Bruins held a 15-7 edge in shots on goal, with both blueliners combining for three points. Lindholm may not have earned a point on Haula’s first goal, but he generated the chance by carrying the puck down low in the offensive zone.

TWO DOWN

Jeremy Swayman: It’s been a rough stretch as of late for Swayman, with a sleepy start putting Columbus right back in this game at the end of the first period and start of the following frame. Relinquishing two goals on the first six shots that come your way just isn’t going to cut it. Even though he settled down a bit as the contest went on, a few of the concerning trends in his game did continue to show up throughout Saturday’s contest, including rebound issues and struggles with puck play. 

Forbort-Reilly pairing: Even though conventional thinking would have Derek Forbort and Mike Reilly both entrenched in the starting lineup to round out Boston’s strongest six-man unit on defense — this duo simply just didn’t have it in their short amount of time together on Saturday. More tinkering will be required on this Bruins D corps.  

PLAY OF THE GAME

LOOSE PUCKS  

The Bruins honored Nick Foligno ahead of puck drop for surpassing 1,000 career games last month — waiting until his former team, the Blue Jackets, were in town for the ceremony. 

Among the many gifts bestowed to the 34-year-old veteran — the traditional silver hockey stick, a Breitling watch, and a custom painting. 

Also good to see to Mike Foligno in attendance — although I must admit, it was a bit startling to see him don a Bruins jersey in the pregame video. 

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will now head out on the road for a four-game trek, starting with a matchup against the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Monday. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.