With the Boston Bruins looking for the record setting victory against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, they went out and did just that. The Bruins came into the Flyers building and won by a 5-3 score, capturing NHL history.
Goals came from Charlie Coyle, David Pastrnak (more down below), and Pavel Zacha, with defenseman Connor Carrick picking up an assist in his Bruins debut (also more below). And with that, it’s takeaway time!
Winning at a historic level
We’ll start with the elephant in the room. Boston’s win gave them 63 on the season, giving them the most wins in a single season in NHL history. They are also just two points away from setting the single season points record as well, and with two games to go, they look poised to set that record too.
David Pastrnak is cooking with fire
There is no one hotter than David Pastrnak right now. Against the Flyers, a team he has consistently found great success against, number 88 notched three goals and an assist. He reached 60 goals on the season with the hat trick, making him only the second Bruins player to do so, joining Phil Esposito in 1974-75.
Oh, he also hit 300 goals in his career as well. Dare I say that the extension he got at the trade deadline is looking like a bargain? If he keeps producing like this it might be.
Tyler Bertuzzi is leveling up
With David Krejci having been sidelined recently due to a nagging injury, Jim Montgomery slid Tyler Bertuzzi up to the second line with Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha. The move has paid dividends, with Bertuzzi picking up three assists, two on Pastrnak goals and one for Zacha.
Right now, in his last five games, Bertuzzi has one goal and six assists, picking up steam offensively ever since he was acquired in the wake of Taylor Hall’s injury. By the way, Hall is back, so a third line of Hall-Charlie Coyle-Bertuzzi with everyone healthy? Sign me up.
A very special Sway day
The Bruins made several callups from Providence prior to the game, so goalie Brandon Bussi was the backup to Jeremy Swayman instead of Linus Ullmark. That meant no on-ice goalie hug for the record setting win.
OK, that doesn’t matter right now. What does is Swayman’s performance. He made several big saves, stopping 34 of 37 shots for his 23rd win of the season in what could be his last start of the season with two games left. It also came in the building where he made his NHL debut in the Covid shortened 56 game season.
But, this win was more important off the ice for Swayman. Sunday marked the two year anniversary of the passing of his mentor Red Gendron, with Swayman pointing to the sky in honor of him.
Two years ago today, Jeremy Swayman’s mentor, Red Gendron, died.
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 10, 2023
Swayman was in Philadelphia at the time of his passing.
Today was for Red ❤️ pic.twitter.com/e4jk70OXOu
Up next
The Bruins are back in action on Tuesday night, looking to set the single season points record as they welcome old friend Craig Smith and the Washington Capitals to town. Puck drop is set for 7:00 at TD Garden.