BSJ Game Report: Bruins 7, Ducks 1 - Boston makes light work of Anaheim

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 7-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks, with BSJ insight and analysis…

BOX SCORE 

HEADLINES

Pastrnak’s four points help Bruins sweep west coast trip: It was all Boston in this one as the Bruins go 3-for-3 in their three games in four nights in California. David Pastrnak put the Bruins up 1-0 less than four minutes into the game, and David Krejci quickly doubled the lead before the midway point of the period. 

Krejci and Pastrnak flashed their chemistry on the first two goals with Krejci teeing Pastrnak up for a one-timer on the first goal before No. 88 found his center in the slot with a deft pass, coming out of the cycle along the boards.

From there, the Bruins (32-4-4) never looked back, even after Trevor Zegras’ one-timer cut it to 2-1 before the end of the period. 

Pastrnak added a power play goal in the second period before completing his hat trick just 17 seconds later on a breakaway to make it 4-1 and put the Ducks (12-25-4) away. It was Boston’s first hat trick of the season, and the 15th of the winger’s career. 

Patrice Bergeron picked up the 600th assist of his career with the primary helper on Pastrnak’s power play tally, keeping the play alive off Pastrnak's initial rebound. 

Brad Marchand, Hampus Lindholm and Charlie Coyle added goals in the third period to put the game firmly out of reach for the Ducks.

Jeremy Swayman was sharp when he needed to be, making 28 saves, while Anaheim’s John Gibson (35 saves) was left on an island. 

FOUR UP

David Pastrnak: Pastrnak must love playing at the Honda Center for whatever reason (see his four-goal outing there in 2019). With a hat trick and four points on the night, it was another dominant showing from No. 88. He's up to 32 goals on the season, a 60-plus goal pace over 82 games.

The rest of the Czech line: I was harsh on that trio’s performances against Ottawa and New Jersey, but tonight served as a perfect ‘get right’ game for Zacha-Krejci-Pastrnak. The trio had its way with Anaheim with a 72.73 Corsi-for percentage per Natural Stat Trick, controlling play each time they were on the ice. 

Craig Smith: Smith finally broke through for his first goal since Oct. 27 in San Jose last night, and he followed it up with another solid game. Playing on the right side with Patrice Bergeron and Marchand will help, but it’s a showing Smith should be able to build on moving forward. 

Hampus Lindholm: The rangy blue-liner put on a show for his former team in his first game back in Anaheim. He led all skaters with 19:42 of ice time, boasting a 24-13 shot attempt differential and chipping in a goal. 

ONE DOWN

The fourth line: Sure, it may be nit-picky, considering Boston won big, but the trio of Nick Foligno-Tomas Nosek-Chris Wagner wasn’t particularly strong in terms of shot differential (7-12). It was Chris Wagner’s season debut, so there’s room for that line to build more chemistry.

PLAY OF THE GAME

In a game with a lot of highs for Boston, Pastrnak’s beauty to complete the hat trick stands above the rest. 

LOOSE PUCKS

Trent Frederic was not too pleased with Zegras after the Ducks’ forward cut it to 2-1 in the first.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will return to TD Garden when they host the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, Jan. 12. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.