The Boston Bruins have won at least three consecutive games for the sixth time this season after topping the San Jose Sharks 4-2 at the SAP Center in San Jose. Before getting into the details of how the game went down, let’s point to the single reason David Pastrnak (might) not break the bank this season.
Brad Marchand tries to get David Pastrnak his 13th career hat trick but Logan Couture decides to rain on the parade pic.twitter.com/D3C7puLXu3
— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) January 8, 2023
For everyone unable to stay up past midnight for the second time in three days, yes, Pastrnak failed to score on an empty net. On the bright side, his inability to bury an empty netter in the game’s final minutes came after scoring a pair of goals to bring his season total to 29.
The Bruins got a good omen 63 seconds into the opening period when number 63 scored a highlight reel goal. Brad Marchand is starting to make a much more positive impact on a nightly basis. He has recorded 15 points over his last 11 games played.
Brad Marchand with an absolute beauty of a solo-effort tally, opening the scoring for Boston just 1:03 in!#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/G8Bu9NsGpa
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) January 8, 2023
Marchand’s individual effort on his 12th of the season proves that he’s working his way back to form. This will be crucial for the Bruins, with Jake DeBrusk being out for the next month with a fractured fibula.
Then Craig Smith scored. Nick Foligno delivered a great pass from the left side to the slot, and Smith was able to catch the saucer before snapping one past James Reimer. With the goal, Smith doubled his season total to two.
Craig Smith locates the Foligno lob pass and buries to quickly extend Boston's early lead to 2!#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/P5kNibosFd
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) January 8, 2023
The Sharks got on the board about a minute and a half later when captain Logan Couture drove to the front of the net and tipped one past Linus Ullmark. Mario Ferraro scored his second goal of the season to tie up the game in the second period.
That’s when Pastrnak found his scoring touch. The Bruins took advantage of a power play as Marchand displayed his patience and playmaking ability when he found a wide-open Pastrnak in the slot. Pasta did his thing, and the B’s regained the lead.
David Pastrnak tallies from the high slot on the power play, Bruins lead 3-2!#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/qHEQaW2y21
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) January 8, 2023
Jim Montgomery is a good coach, but it must be nice that when one of your team’s hottest scorers is sidelined with an injury, you must reunite the best line in hockey. Marchand, Pastrnak, and Patrice Bergeron put their stamp on this game with the night’s final goal.
David Pastrnak finishes the gorgeous tic-tac-toe passing play from Marchand and Bergeron, 4-2 B's!#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/hKRnS7qgJN
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) January 8, 2023
Big win for Team Bear over Team Shark. The Bruins now lead the NHL with 66 points after improving their record to 31-4-4. Boston will look to extend its winning streak to four games and sweep its west coast swing when it visits the Anaheim Ducks Sunday night at Honda Center.