BSJ Game Report: Bruins 3, Blackhawks 1 - Boston wins season-opener after Pastrnak scores twice

Everything you need to know, in quickie form, from the Bruins’ 3-1 win over the Blackhawks, with BSJ insight and analysis…

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Bruins comeback to win on opening night: After falling behind, 1-0, in the first period, the Bruins scored three unanswered goals to knock off the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-1, at TD Garden to begin their centennial season. Trent Frederic got the scoring started for Boston when he tipped in Brandon Carlo’s shot from the point to tie it in the first. David Pastrnak beat Arvid Soderblom (30 saves) over the glove off a feed from Milan Lucic on the rush for the go-ahead goal in the second before adding the empty-netter in the third. Linus Ullmark made 20 saves for Boston. 

Bedard scores first goal: Rookie sensation Connor Bedard opened the scoring with his first NHL goal, putting home a wraparound just over five minutes into the game. The 18-year-old had an assist in his debut in Pittsburgh last night. He finished with six shots on goal, seven attempts, five individual scoring chances and four high-danger looks on the night, per Natural Stat Trick – all led the Blackhawks. 

FOUR UP

Trent Frederic: A lot to like about Frederic’s game in this one. Had good speed and seemed to be involved every time he was on the ice. Found space at the net-front and got a stick on Carlo’s shot for the equalizer in the first. Led Boston with three hits and had five individual scoring chances, all at 5v5. The Bruins had a 70.27% expected goals ratio with Frederic on at 5v5, the fourth-highest of any skater. 

Matt Poitras: Poitras looked the part in his first NHL game. Made some really crafty, smart passes and showed great poise to pull up, curl and find Carlo to set up Frederic’s goal and his first NHL point. Had some turnovers that need to be cleaned up, but otherwise, a really positive start for the rookie. The Bruins dominated possession with him on at 5v5, holding significant advantages in attempts (20-11), scoring chances (13-6) and expected goals (63.21%). 

Fourth line: Lucic, Johnny Beecher and Jakub Lauko played with energy and pace each shift. Thought Lucic did a decent enough job keeping up with burners like Beecher and Lauko, and all three were involved physically with Beecher even getting into a scrap with Jason Dickinson. The Bruins deployed them heavily in the offensive zone, and it paid off as they created havoc on the forecheck with their size and physicality. They had their fair share of chances, too. 

David Pastrnak: What better way to follow up a 61-goal campaign with two on Opening Night? Pastrnak now has seven goals and 13 points in eight Opening Night games. 

TWO DOWN 

Power play: Thought the power play started well with some good movement and zone time in the first, but overall, the top unit lacked cohesiveness throughout the night. The second unit was better, but not by much. That’ll need work going forward after a disjointed showing. The Bruins have really struggled against penalty kills that aggressively pursue the puck carrier over the last few years. 

Top-six: Speaking of lacking cohesiveness, the top-six, especially the Pastrnak line, got better as the game went on (before the third-period line shuffling), but there is still chemistry to be built here. Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak were active all night, and Jake DeBrusk had a good third period. But on balance, there were times when it seemed like the top two lines were fighting it. Liked what the DeBrusk-Zacha-Pastrnak line had in a small sample. It's only one game and there are a lot of new faces and combinations, so I'm not worried. 

PLAY OF THE GAME 

Lucic to Pastrnak like it's 2015 all over again. 

NOTABLE

Bedard’s great-great uncle, James, scored one goal in his 22-game NHL career (also with the Blackhawks), which was versus Boston on Feb. 18, 1951. Neat.

Ullmark wasn't very busy (only 1.80 expected goals-against), but was strong when he needed to be, stopping five of six high-danger shots and all five medium-danger shots he faced.

Boston dominated at the faceoff dot tonight:

UP NEXT

The Bruins will be back at it on Saturday at TD Garden against the Nashville Predators. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET.