BSJ Game Report: Bruins 4, Canadiens 2 - Pastrnak gets 49th

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 4-2 win against the Canadiens, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Pastrnak, Bertuzzi power B's past Habs: A goal and assist from both David Pastrak and Tyler Bertuzzi helped the Bruins down the Canadiens, 4-2, on Thursday at TD Garden.

Connor Clifton also finished with a multi-point effort with two assists, while Jake DeBrusk and David Krejci found the back of the net for the B's (55-11-5).

"I'm happy that we got the two points," Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery said. "It's a tough league to win in. I know we've won a lot this year, but it really is. With the schedule as challenging as it is right now, we're playing four games a week, it's four in six nights consecutively for five weeks. 

"We're not going to have the most energy we usually have," Montgomery said. "I don't think we skated very well tonight, but it's understandably at time. You got to give credit to those guys, we find a way to win hockey games."

Jeremy Swayman's shutout streak came to an end in this one, but the 24-year-old picked up his 19th win of the season. Swayman stopped 29-of-31 for the victory.

Bertuzzi potted the game's first goal less than five minutes into the first. The former Red Wings forward flung the puck from behind the attacking goal line toward the Canadiens' net, and it trickled past Jake Allen (17 saves) and in for Bertuzzi's first with the Black and Gold.

The temperatures rose after Brad Marchand dropped the gloves with Rem Pitlick shortly after the game's first goal. Pitlick dropped Patrice Bergeron behind the play and Marchand took exception to it, immediately stepping in. The fight was a first of a few altercations in the frame.

DeBrusk maintained the hot hand with his fourth goal in as many games at 13:38. The top-line winger corralled the puck in the neutral zone, then split the Montreal defense, before ripping it past Allen to put the B's up, 2-0.

"Some puck luck and just trying to get to the hard areas and just trying to play my game," DeBrusk said after the game. "I'm just trying to build our game, as we all are, as we go into the playoffs."

The Habs scored with 18 seconds remaining in the frame on a goal from Nick Suzuki. The Canadiens were on a five-minute power play after A.J. Greer cross-checked Mike Hoffman before a faceoff, which ultimately led to the Habs making it a 2-1 game.

Pastrnak restored the Bruins' two-goal lead in the second period with his 49th tally of the season. At 2:36, No. 88 took a pretty feed from Bertuzzi and outwaited Allen to push the score to 3-1.

The B's didn't have the same jump for the remainder of the frame and the Canadiens took advantage, with another power play goal late. Kirby Dach redirected a pass from Mike Matheson and the Habs were within one once again with the score showing, 3-2, going into the second intermission.

Krejci scored the only goal of the third period on a slick backhand shot, just outside the Montreal crease at 12:16, restoring the B's two-goal lead to 4-2.

The Canadiens made a late push with their net empty, but the Bruins held on for their fifth consecutive win.

TWO UP

DeBrusk stays hot: Another game, another goal for the 6-foot, 197-pounder. DeBrusk showcased his speed and finishing abilities during the first period against the Canadiens.

DeBrusk upped his total on the season to 24 with the strike and has built a four-game point streak in the process.

First period: Not only did the Bruins score twice in the opening frame, they also set the tone physically. Most notably, Marchand's response to Bergeron being hit got the B's engaged early on.

Charlie McAvoy and Greer were also involved in the rough stuff, but Greer let the emotions get the best of him as he got ejected from the game with a major and game misconduct penalty.

TWO DOWN

Special teams: The Bruins' struggles on the power play of late have been well established, but both of the Canadiens' goals on Thursday came during the man advantage.

Suzuki scored during Greer's five-minute major, while Dach scored on a Clifton call. The Bruins allowed two power-play goals on five Montreal chances.

To make matters worse the B's power play went 0-for-5.

Bruins energy: It's pretty evident that the regular season is winding down, because the B's look tired. Against the Habs, they were out-shot in the first two periods, and let a bottom-feeding team like the Canadiens make it closer than it should have been twice.

"For us we want to be at our best come Game 1," Pastrnak said. "That's going to take us staying in the moment and focusing on each of these [last] 10 games. Don't look too far ahead of us and we still we need to play the right way the rest of the season. It's not easy to just flip the switch in the playoffs."

PLAY OF THE GAME

Pastrnak set a new career-high in goals on Thursday and is just one away from the elusive 50-goal mark.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins round out their matchups against the Atlantic Division this week when they take on the Lightning on Saturday. The B's hold a 2-1 edge in the season series.

Puck drop is set for 1 p.m.