The Boston Bruins have turned around their fortunes since returning from the NHL’s three-day holiday break.
Just over a week removed from the end of a four-game skid, the Bruins visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night in search of their fourth consecutive win and third on the road in that span.
“There could have been a lot to dwell on, but everyone did a great job of resetting and starting fresh and just making sure that we focused on building our game,” defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk said.
Boston had Monday off after sweeping a weekend back-to-back — with the help of three players tallying two-goal games — and subsequently becoming the second team to reach 50 points in the overall NHL standings.
Shattenkirk and David Pastrnak accounted for four of Boston’s five goals in a 5-2 win over New Jersey on Saturday, while Trent Frederic netted a pair and added an assist as the Bruins were 5-2 winners in Detroit on Sunday.
Coach Jim Montgomery believes that the Bruins’ recent 0-2-2 skid is a thing of the past.
“I think we’re absolutely past that,” Montgomery said. “I like the way we are competing for each other and the energy on the bench. Even though some guys might not be getting the minutes they want right now, they are being incredible teammates.”
It has taken total team efforts to get back on track, and Jake DeBrusk’s offensive coming-out party has helped. DeBrusk, who had been on an 11-game goal-scoring drought, has scored in consecutive games and tallied five points over the last three.
“We’re playing the way we’ve got to to win,” Bruins captain Brad Marchand said. “We are taking care of pucks, putting them in good areas to get back.”
Boston finished the 2023 calendar year with a league-record 32 road wins, 11 of which have come this season (11-5-3).
Columbus has lost four of its last five games but is 4-3-3 over its last 10, including a 3-2 overtime loss in Buffalo on Saturday that was its third straight to end in an extra session (1-0-2).
Despite goals by Damon Severson and Adam Fantilli, the Blue Jackets could not find the winning bounce after holding 1-0 and 2-1 leads. However, Daniil Tarasov’s 39-save performance earned them a point.
“It’s huge,” Columbus coach Pascal Vincent said. “I thought in the third we were under fire. … But getting a point (on Saturday) in a back-to-back like we did, (after) a very emotional game (against Toronto on Friday), I think we’re finishing (2023) on a good note.”
Fantilli, who has recently played on a line with Johnny Gaudreau, is the fifth teenager in Blue Jackets history to record a point streak of at least four games.
“I’m trying to take from (Gaudreau’s poise),” Fantilli said. “Just watching how smart he is and try and follow that and try and take some of that poise into my game.”
Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (illness) did not travel to Buffalo after leaving last Friday’s game early. Tarasov started, with Spencer Martin as the backup.
The Blue Jackets recalled Jake Christiansen from AHL affiliate Cleveland while placing Zach Werenski (ankle) on injured reserve. Christiansen partnered with Erik Gudbranson, balancing out lefties and righties on the team’s three pairs.
“I just believe it puts everyone in the position to succeed,” Vincent said. “I’ve never played that position, but the people that I spoke to (said) it’s hard because the game is different (playing on the off side) — the way you pivot, the way you defend, the way you attack.”
–Field Level Media
