Looking to bounce back from an embarrassing loss to the Ottawa Senators on Monday night, the Boston Bruins had two days to stew over a second straight loss early in the 2026-27 season. If they were going to do it, they were going to have to earn it against a talented Utah Mammoth club.
Mission accomplished, as they scored three goals in the first and second periods, taking any drama out of the third period on their way to a 6-1 victory. Here are three winners and two losers after the Black and Gold had several players find the back of the net for the first time this season.
Winner: David Pastrnak
After going scoreless in his first four games of the season, how much longer would David Pastrnak go without finding the back of the net? As it turns out, just halfway through the first period. He doubled the Bruins' lead by scoring on the power-play goal and then added a second in the middle period. He also picked up an assist on goals by Morgan Geekie and Matthew Poitras. You knew that it wouldn't take long for Pastrnak to find the back of the net, but to get two on the power play is a bonus.
Loser: Sebastian Cossa
One of the better goalies in the minors last season, along with Michael DiPietro of the Bruins, was Sebastian Cossa. However, he'll want to forget his first period before getting yanked in the opening 20 minutes. Casey Mittlestadt opened the scoring by beating with a wrist shot from the left circle, then Pastrnak's first goal was a weak one between the pads. Mason Lohrei ended his night in the first period when he beat in him close to the far side. Karel Vejmelka didn't fare much better, allowing three second-period goals.
Winner: Morgan Geekie
Another key forward looking for his first goal of the season was Morgan Geekie. He has been snakebitten early in the season, hitting a crossbar and a post, as well as being stopped at point-blank range by Linus Ullmark in Monday night's loss. He found the back of the net in the second period on the power play when he one-timed a pass from Pastrnak into an open net for a 5-0 lead. Like Pastrnak, it was vital that Geekie found the back of the net sooner rather than later.
Loser: Utah penalty kill
I mean, the Bruins' power play was dreadful entering the game, and it looked like the top unit thanks to the Mammoth. They scored seconds into their first opportunity on Pastrnak's first goal, then two more penalties in the second period led to Pastrnak's second and Geekie's first. Youngster Frederic Brunet getting some time with the first unit was nice to see as he continues to build more and more confidence early in the season.
Winner: Jeremy Swayman
This might not be as crazy as you think. If it wasn't for Jeremy Swayman, then the Bruins would have been in an early hole. Swayman made some big saves when Utah came out of the gate with a ton of pressure off the opening faceoff. Then, at the end of the first Mammoth power-play opportunity, he made two point-blank saves. He finished with 34 saves, and he needed to be on his game as the Bruins were outshot 37-22 in the game. And they won 6-0. It was one of those nights. It's a shame he lost the shutout in the third period.
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