(Getty Images)
FINAL: Bruins 5 , Penguins 1 - Bruins don't play great game but take advantage of Pittsburgh mistakes
It took a whole team effort for the Bruins to earn the 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday afternoon. I was not impressed with the Bruins play as they were outshot 39-23 for the game. Boston found a lot of success on taking advantage of Pittsburgh's mistakes.The Bruins got off to a slow start in the first period but started to find their game as the period went on. David Pastrnak got everything started after a scoreless first period as he scored his 40th goal of the season.
4️⃣0️⃣ FOR FETTUCCINE 🍝 pic.twitter.com/OoBzXGGWw5
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 9, 2024
Pavel Zacha also contributed two goals on the day and has recorded five goals in his last four games.
Brad Marchand scored his 399th career goal late in the second period which made it 3-0.
3️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ FOR 6️⃣3️⃣❗️❗️❗️ pic.twitter.com/reP8g5GBvP
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 9, 2024
There was a little bit of nervous energy in the third period when Kris Letang scored to make it 3-1. Although, Jake DeBrusk came through with a big insurance goal which was huge considering that the Penguins started the third period with the momentum living in the Boston zone. The Bruins need DeBrusk to score consistently if they want to make noise in the playoffs.
From 6️⃣3️⃣ to #CELLYSZN 🚨 pic.twitter.com/p3Vepn2Z07
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 9, 2024
Considering that Pittsburgh dominated in shots-on-goal, Linus Ullmark played a big role in the win today. I would have to think anyone that wanted the Bruins to trade him at the deadline must be happy that they held onto him considering that goaltending depth has been the team strength all season.
The Bruins will be back in action on Monday night when they host the St. Louis Blues at 7 p.m.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The Bruins did not play a great game today considering that they got off to a slow start and were outshot the entire game. Pittsburgh had all the momentum to start the third period until a killer turnover leading to DeBrusk's insurance goal.
- Ullmark saved the Bruins so many times today. I honestly think that Sweeney and the Bruins made the right call not trading him because it would would have disrupted the great chemistry Ullmark and Swayman have had all season. Boston has the best goalie duo in the NHL and messing with that would have probably guaranteed an early playoff exit again. Even if you brought in another goaltender, it would still not be the same with the chemistry and consistency the two have built. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
🎥 Coach Montgomery on Linus Ullmark's performance on Saturday afternoon in the #NHLBruins 5-1 win over Pittsburgh: "He was our best player. Wasn't close. He was really good. Glad he's still a Bruin." pic.twitter.com/KQPFKTLG5X
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 10, 2024
THREE STARS OF THE GAME:
3. Jake DeBrusk (One goal and an assist)
2. Pavel Zacha (Two goals and an assist)
1. Linus Ullmark (38 saves)
_________________________________
WHO: Penguins (28-25-8) at Bruins (37-13-15)
WHEN: 3 p.m.
WHERE: TD Garden, Boston.
TV: ABC
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub
LIVE BOX SCORE
ROSTERS
PROJECTED LINES
BOSTON
Marchand-Coyle-DeBrusk
Heinen-Zacha-Pastrnak
Van Riemsdyk-Geekie-Frederic
Lauko-Boqvist-Brazeau
Grzelcyk-McAvoy
Lindholm-Carlo
Lohrei-Shattenkirk
Ullmark
Swayman
PENGUINS
Bunting-Crosby-Rakell
Smith-Malkin-Puustinen
Puljujarvi-Eller-Bemstrom
Gruden-Acciari-Carter
Joseph-Letang
Pettersson-Karlsson
Graves-Ludvig
Nedeljkovic
Jarry
PREGAME NOTES
The Bruins welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to TD Garden for a matinee matchup at 3 p.m. Boston was a little busy at the trade deadline as they picked up Pat Maroon from Minnesota for prospect Luke Toporowski and a 2026 sixth-round conditional draft pick. Maroon has been out for the past four-plus weeks as he recovers from back surgery. Don Sweeney told the media there is currently no timetable as for when Maroon will return. Maroon will give the Bruins size and physicality on the fourth line. Boston also acquired defenseman Andrew Peeke from Columbus for blue liner Jakub Zboril and a 2027 third-round pick. Peeke still has two years remaining on his contract at $2.75 million per season.
The Bruins also gave Parker Wotherspoon a one-year extension for $800,000. Sweeney also announced that Derek Forbort has been placed on long-term injured reserve and will require surgery most likely ending his season. Hampus Lindholm is probable to play today versus Pittsburgh.
The Bruins face a Penguins team that also made some moves at the trade deadline as they traded Jake Guentzel and Ty Smith to Carolina in return for Michael Bunting, forward prospects Ville Koivunen, Vasily Ponomarev, Cruz Lucius and conditional 2024 first-round and fifth-round draft picks. Pittsburgh enters today coming off a 6-0 loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday night. Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins in goals (32) and points (63). The Penguins have struggled on the power play this season ranking 28th in the NHL at only a 15.1% success rate. On the other hand, Pittsburgh has the sixth-best penalty kill in the league at 82.3%.