Bruins return to identity with much-needed win before All-Star break

Believe it or not, the Bruins were just fine after losing consecutive games for the first time, 50 games into the season.

Boston returned to the win column with a much-needed 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday, ending a three-game skid to head into the All-Star break and the bye week with positive momentum. 

Jim Montgomery was unfazed after the Bruins flatlined in a 4-1 loss at the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday, and Boston validated the skipper’s confidence in Toronto. 

“I think we got back to our identity tonight, and that was Bruins hockey,” Montgomery said. “Our depth. Our d-men. The scoring. Our fourth line coming through like they did, and Charlie Coyle’s line playing unbelievable. It was fun to watch.”

The Bruins checked nearly every box that has been a part of their calling card this season.

Elite goaltending? Check. 

It was Linus Ullmark going toe-to-toe with a red-hot Ilya Samsonov early in the first period. The latter wilted as the game drew on, but the former stood tall throughout the proceedings. Ullmark turned aside all but one high-danger opportunity for the Leafs as he kept Boston afloat with some big saves during surges from Toronto in the second and third periods, continuing his dominant run of form against other Eastern Conference contenders.

Timely goals? Check.

After the Leafs responded to Derek Forbort’s shorthanded opener, it was Brandon Carlo’s first goal in 20 games getting the Bruins back on top moments later. Calle Jarnkrok pulled Toronto back within one quickly after A.J. Greer’s early third-period goal, but Pavel Zacha answered 30 seconds later with a dominant shift before doubling the lead shortly after.

“Like we’ve talked about before, those are always nice for me since I’m not a huge goal-scorer,” Carlo told reporters. “It definitely adds a little boost of confidence throughout that game. … That one felt nice, and this is the way we wanted to go out.”

Big third period? Check.

The final 20 minutes were all business for Boston, who outscored the Leafs 3-1 in the third. Toronto made quite the push after Greer’s scrap with Wayne Simmonds, but Zacha’s goals put the game out of reach for the Bruins.

“I think we were ready to play a full 60 minutes,” Zacha said during the postgame walk-off interview on NESN. “I think we were getting better as the game went on, and we played really well in the third. We just made them defend a lot. We were ready for them. It was a must-win for us before the break. So, great job to everyone.”

Montgomery said on the broadcast, “[I liked] that we stayed with our relentless… trying to add to the lead, and not just being comfortable trying to win a game by one goal.”

Contributions from up and down the lineup? Check. 

Boston got at least a point from 12 different skaters on the night. Each skater on the fourth line (Greer, Trent Frederic and Jakub Lauko) found the scoresheet. Five different defensemen recorded a point, and the Czech Line reunited in the third before coming up with Zacha’s second of the game. 

“It’s huge. We all want to contribute [to the offense] when we can,” Carlo said. “It’s great when you do get the result from it, and I think it gives the rest of the guys a boost as well. We want to be a great support system for the guys who are scoring all the time and occasionally do our part too. So, yeah, it felt good to have a game like that where it was guys who aren’t typically putting it in the back of the net.”

Boston put the hiccup that was the last week behind them, coming out with pace against the Leafs and getting back to the details that made them the best team in hockey through the first bulk of the season.

“We have a thing here, where we’re focused on our process,” Carlo said. “You know, making smart decisions laterally, especially through the neutral zone, kind of playing behind them and winning our net-front battles. I think we did a great job tonight of doing that. The forwards obviously got to the net front quite a bit and opened up some opportunities, screening the goalie and getting pucks behind him.

“It was good to get that result and get back on track.”

As for the All-Star break and 10-day layoff, it couldn’t come at a better time for Boston, who looked sluggish and fatigued during the losing streak. The Carolina loss marked the Bruins’ fifth game in eight days and fourth in six days of the road trip. 

The break offers rest and a chance to reset for key veterans like Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Brad Marchand, as well as Ullmark, who is on track to smash his previous career-high in games (41, set last season). It also offers the opportunity for the Bruins to work through injuries, especially Jake DeBrusk, who has resumed skating and is trending towards making his return to the lineup when Boston is back in action against Washington on Feb. 11.

Carlo added, “Headed into the break, it’ll be nice to take a mental break and a breather.”