BSJ Game Report: Bruins 3, Jets 2 - Bruins rally back from 2-goal deficit against Winnipeg

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 3-2 win over the Jets, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

B’s erase two-goal deficit, close out homestand with 4-0-1 record: It’s a testament to the Bruins’ stout play and high standard this season that this five-game homestand has featured extended stretches of lackluster play and sleepy starts — but it took until the fifth game on Thursday night for Boston to find itself actually trailing in regulation. 

And given the manner in which the Jets seemingly imposed their will against the Bruins through the opening 20 minutes, it looked as though Winnipeg’s 2-0 lead entering the first intermission was going to be the start of a long night for Boston.

But, in what has been a recurring trend all season long, the B’s flipped the switch as the game carried on, outshooting the Jets, 30-14, over the final two periods and reeling off three consecutive goals en route to a 3-2 comeback win on Thursday night.

With the win, the Bruins improve to 26-4-2 on the season and close out this homestand with a 4-0-1 record. 

Boston received a major gift in the second period when a fortuitous bounce careened off the boards and landed right in of David Pastrnak for what was essentially an empty-net tally — but that spark of good fortune carried Boston the rest of the way, with Jake DeBrusk knotting the score up at 2-2 just minutes later with a power-play strike. 

The game remained locked in a draw until 11:08 in the third, with Nick Foligno burying his sixth goal of the season off of a slick feed from Charlie Coyle to give Boston its first lead of the night. 

It was far from an ideal start for the B’s and Jeremy Swayman (25 saves), but it’s hard to doubt this team in just about any scenario — even when trailing against a 20-win club like the Jets.

FOUR UP

Jake DeBrusk: With his second-period tally, DeBrusk recorded the 200th point of his career. Despite all of the shuffling across the B’s forward corps over the last few weeks, DeBrusk has continued to chip in offensively all season long — with the winger now up to 12 goals and 24 points over 31 games this season. 

David Pastrnak: Yes, his second-period tally that put Boston on the board was a complete gift, but Pastrnak followed that up with a nifty slap pass on the power play less than three minutes later that set up DeBrusk’s equalizer. Pastrnak has now recorded a 10-game point streak for the sixth time in his career — with only Phil Esposito (10 10-game point streaks), Bobby Orr (7) and Ray Bourque (6) equaling that feat. 

Brandon Carlo: Carlo is playing some real good hockey these days. After scoring his first goal of the season on Monday against the Panthers, Carlo was a defensive force against the Jets — with Boston holding a 17-1 edge in shots on goal during Carlo’s 15:04 of 5v5 ice time.

Nick Foligno: Foligno’s physicality and forechecking efforts prompted Jim Montgomery to elevate him further up the lineup — with the veteran rewarding that lineup switcheroo with a sweet finish while on Charlie Coyle’s line, giving Boston the lead for good. Foligno finished with two points, earning a helper on that miracle bounce that led to Pastrnak’s opening goal. 

THREE DOWN

McAvoy-Grzelcyk pairing: Both McAvoy and Grzelcyk have put up some absurd numbers together over the years, but both blueliners were knocked for cheating a bit up the ice in the first period — with both BU products out of position on Mark Scheifele’s opening tally. 

Jeremy Swayman: He tightened things up as the game continued, but Swayman was still not very sharp to open this one, especially on Jansen Harkins’ tally that gave Winnipeg a 2-0 lead. A win is still a win and Swayman was steady in the second and third periods, but the young goalie’s game remains a work in progress. 

Taylor Hall: A bit of a quiet night for Hall, who was also knocked for an obvious cross-checking penalty against Ville Heinola in the opening period. Considering Boston’s current woes with penalties, you just can’t have that. 

PLAY OF THE GAME

I mean, just a Christmas miracle of a bounce here for Pastrnak and the Bruins. 

LOOSE PUCKS

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will now head out on the road for a matchup against the New Jersey Devils on Friday night. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.