(Getty Images)
FINAL: Maple Leafs 2, Bruins 3 (SO) - DeBrusk, Coyle power Bruins in SO
The Bruins defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in a shootout Thursday night.
It was a sloppy first period by both sides, but Pavel Zacha sent Boston into the locker room with a 1-0 lead. Mason Lohrei got was credited with an assist on the goal to give him his first NHL career point.
Super cleannnn by number 1️⃣8️⃣ pic.twitter.com/n9E2c4pdC1
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 3, 2023
"He was dynamite...he played really well. His poise with the puck in all three zones was very noticeable and he made a lot of intelligent hockey plays," Jim Montgomery said after the game.
Jim Montgomery on Mason Lohrei in his NHL debut Thursday night: "He was dynamite...he played really well. His poise with the puck in all three zones was very noticeable and he made a lot of intelligent hockey plays." pic.twitter.com/2FArHl6FVT
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 3, 2023
The Bruins made it 2-0 1:36 into the second period as Jake DeBrusk recorded his first goal on the season. Toronto went on a run later in the second period when Mitchell Marner cut the lead to 2-1, 6:31 into the period. Austin Matthews tied it 2-2 1:03 after Marner.
STARTED THE SECOND WITH SOME SEVEN FOUR. pic.twitter.com/6oRgcanwpo
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 3, 2023
The third period saw no scoring as both Jeremey Swayman and Ilya Samsonov were fabulous in net. Swayman finished with 33 saves and Samsonov finished with 38 for the Maple Leafs.
After a scoreless overtime period, the game went to a shootout. Jake Debrusk led it off with a goal over Samsonov's blocker and Charlie Coyle scored through the five-hole. Swayman stopped both William Nylander and Austin Matthews to seal the win for Boston.
The Bruins improve to 9-0-1 on the season. Boston will be back in action on Saturday in Detroit to take on the Red Wings with face off set for 7 p.m.
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WHO: Maple Leafs (5-3-1) at Bruins (8-0-1)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: TD Garden, Boston.
TV: Hulu/ESPN+
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub
ROSTERS
PREDICTED LINES
BOSTON
MAPLE LEAFS
PREGAME NOTES
The Bruins will face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7:30 p.m. in an Original Six matchup. Boston enters tonight with an 8-0-1 record on the season, extending their season-opening point streak to nine games, a new franchise record. The previous record was held by the 1937-38 squad.
The Bruins placed Matt Grzelcyk on long-term injured reserve, joining Jakub Lauko. Boston called up Mason Lohrei, Ian Mitchell and Parker Wotherspoon from Providence. Lohrei will be making his NHL debut tonight for Boston as a 22-year old.
The Bruins will also be without Charlie McAvoy tonight as he is serving the first game of his four-game ban. Jim Montgomery told reporters this morning that Derek Forbort will also not suit up tonight as he is day-to-day with an undisclosed reason.
David Pastrnak has been named the NHL's Third Star for the month of October. Pastrnak recorded eight goals and six assists in nine games of action.
Kevin Shattenkirk will be appearing in his 900th career NHL game tonight.
Tonight is the first game since Boston announced that Matt Poitras will be remaining in Boston for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. This comes as the team had to make a decision whether to send him back down to junior hockey or keep him with with the Bs before his 10th game of NHL action this season.
The Bruins are facing a Toronto team that is riding a two-game skid. John Tavares has scored in four of his last five games for the Maple Leafs. Boston will also need to watch out for Mitch Marner who is on a four-game point streak. William Nylander will also be a problem for the Bruins as he is riding a nine-game point streak. Nylander set the longest opening point streak in franchise history for Toronto.