Recap: McAvoy, Coyle power Bruins to win over Canadiens

It was a great night to be a Charlie for the Boston Bruins.

Charlie McAvoy and Charlie Coyle each had two goals in the Bruins’ 5-2 win over the rival Montreal Canadiens on Sunday night.

Taylor Hall added an empty-net goal as Jeremy Swayman made 27 saves to pick up his fourth consecutive win as the Bruins improved to 7-5-0 on the season.

1st period

Despite a pretty solid first period, the Bruins could not get anything going in the opening 20 minutes.

It was Montreal’s Joel Armia who had the lone tally in the period, burying a sweet shot off the rush to open the scoring.

Someone you just get beat by a better shot and that’s the case here. 1-0 Habs after one.

2nd period

The Bruins continued to generate chances and had a great one early in the period. David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand came down on a 2 on 0, but Sam Montembeault denied them.

The chances kept coming for Boston and they finally were rewarded with a goal from McAvoy collecting a rebound off a rush.

First off, what a truck by McAvoy on Nick Foligno. I mean McAvoy has been throwing the body around a lot recently, but c’mon Chuckie, not players on the black and gold! Nonetheless, he gets the goal and we have a tie game.

However, late in the period, Michael Pezzetta scored his first NHL goal to give the Canadiens back the lead.

Looks like Pezzetta tips the shot from Brooks high in the slot and finds a way through bodies and into the back of the net.

Boston couldn’t find an equalizer and despite outplaying Montreal, found itself down 2-1 after two.

3rd period

The Bruins had been generating scoring opportunities all night and finally, in the third, they started finishing.

McAvoy scored his second of the night early on the power play to tie things back up.

A lot of time and space for McAvoy to walk in and rip one by Montembeault.

Just over three minutes later, Boston got its first lead of the night when some puck luck went its way.

Thank you Jeff Petry! He tries to clear the puck out from in front and instead, fires it right at Charlie Coyle and it deflects into the net. To me, if Montembeault doesn’t give up that rebound, that goal never happens and frankly, that should be one he smothers. But the Bruins gladly took the gift from Montreal to take the 3-2 lead.

And again, just over three minutes later, it was Coyle with a much prettier goal this time.

Great forecheck in, uses his body to out-position Adam Brooks and roofs it over the shoulder of Montembeault for his second of the night. Excellent effort by Coyle and well deserved.

Hall added the empty-net goal late as the Bruins exploded for four total goals in the third to come from behind and beat the Canadiens 5-2.

Notes:

• McAvoy continues to be worth every damn penny. Two goals, seven shots on net, three hits in this one. He’s up to 12 points in 13 games this season
• And the other Charlie looked really strong as well. Two goals on four shots, three hits and Coyle dominated the face off dot, winning 10 of 14 draws
• A two-point night from Hall who also threw seven shots on net. The second line looked a lot better and it’s exactly what the Bruins need from them and to continue doing
• I was surprised to see Swayman get the nod on both nights of the back-to-back, but he was strong once again in this one. He’s won four in a row now and has a 2.16 GAA and .914 SV% so far this season. He and Linus Ullmark have been splitting time but this weekend might be a bit telling Cassidy could be going with more Swayman in the future
• Jakub Zboril looked fantastic tonight. He was extremely good in both zones, didn’t make many mistakes, handled the puck well. Collected an assist even on the Hall empty-netter. It was only his third game so far this season, but I’d like to see more of him
• Oskar Steen as well stood out. He was just called up ahead of this weekend as he’s been hot down in Providence. He also collected an assist
• No goals out of the first line but at this point, it’s a good thing. The first line had been relied upon way to often as of late and it’s very refreshing to see the Bruins win in a game where five goals are scored not all from the top three
• Brad Marchand extends his point streak to seven and he has 11 points in November alone
• Boy, do the Canadiens must miss Carey Price. Not sure when he’ll be back to playing in games, but he is the backbone of this team and I think the struggles continue in Montreal until he returns to games

It was very nice to see the Bruins not collapse after the win on Saturday and get the win against an inferior Canadiens team. Thanks to the NHL and its stupid scheduling, the Bruins have five days off and don’t play until Saturday and Sunday of next weekend. Makes a lot of sense right?

Nonetheless,  a win against a division opponent and Boston gets some time to rest up before another back-to-back.