Boston Bruins down Montreal Canadiens in first meeting of season

Jan 24, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron (37) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sport
Jan 24, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron (37) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sport

How does 38-5-4 sound? Pretty good if you ask me. After a shutout of the San Jose Sharks, the Boston Bruins were playing the archrival Montreal Canadiens for the first time this season, and the Bruins took care of business on the road for their sixth straight win.

The game started off relatively slow, with an uneventful first period ending in a 0-0 gridlock. The Bruins had some chances against Canadiens netminder Sam Montembeault but couldn’t convert on any of them.

Period number two didn’t start off so well either, with Montembeault doing his best Carey Price imitation to keep the Bruins off the scoresheet. Kirby Dach then opened the scoring for the Habs with a power-play goal.

It started to turn around for the Bruins after that. Taylor Hall broke out of his goal drought to tie the game for the Bruins with a little tap in front of the net.

Our favorite Czech centerman David Krejci put the Bruins ahead in the third period by deflecting a David Pastrnak shot past Montembeault. After Kirby bleeping Dach tied the game again, our old hero Patrice Bergeron, a native of Quebec, scored the game-winning goal with 2:55 left in regulation.

Pastrnak then sealed a banner night not just for the Bruins but for him as well, with an empty net goal. That goal was number 277 in his career, tying him with Wayne Cashman for ninth all-time in Bruins leaderboards. He also became the first Bruin in almost 40 years to record a four-point game in Montreal, with Tom Fergus in November of 1983 being the last one.

In goal, Alaskan Jeremy Swayman won with a 20-save effort, while Montembeault got the loss with 25 saves.

Next, the Bruins take on the always-tough Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. The puck drop is set for 7:05 at Amalie Arena.