Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand got the monkey off his back.
Marchand scored his first goal of the season on Saturday — an overtime game-winner against the Toronto Maple Leafs — and the Bruins will look to carry that momentum into Tuesday’s home finale. Philadelphia Flyers.
“This is one game. This does not completely change the situation,” said Marchan. “But…it’s a great way to build a foundation of understanding how to play to be successful. It’s something to build on, but again, it’s a game.”
Marchand’s goal snapped Boston’s three-game losing streak (0-2-1). After the game, coach Jim Montgomery was quick to recognize the lift his team had received when Marchand was the bench hitter.
“When he scored that goal, you could tell how excited the bench was,” Montgomery said. “He’s our leader, he’s the person who shows what it means to be a Bruin – the right way.”
Marchand and David Pastrnak each had a goal and an assist, while Justin Brazeau and Mark Kastelic scored for Boston in a 4-3 victory. Montgomery saw an overall effort from his group, including better puck control and fewer odd-man runs.
Boston held its opponent to three power plays for only the second time this season, though it was shorthanded more times (43) than any other team.
From Montgomery’s point of view, there has been improvement in that area, and he would like to see more in another area as well.
“Our puck pressure was the best we’ve had in the last game, but it’s still not where it needs to be,” Montgomery said. “I wouldn’t come close to describing our team as relentless, and that’s where we want to be. . . . Somebody’s got to put pressure on the puck.”
The Flyers come into Boston at 2-6-1, looking to climb out of the Eastern Conference basement.
Philadelphia was unable to extend its winning streak with a 7-5 win over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday after falling to the Montreal Canadiens 4-3. half of the back.
“We just weren’t working as a team,” quarterback Travis Sanheim said. “The reason for our success last year was the five-man units, one after the other, every line.
Some of that cohesion was evident in the Flyers’ first win of the season on Saturday, but it didn’t carry over into Sunday. Sanheim scored twice against Montreal, but Alexey Kolosov (20 saves) could not get the win in his NHL debut.
Barring an improvement in scoring, the Flyers haven’t reached 30 shots in their last six games. With leading scorer Travis Konecny and most of the team returning from a season away, the result came as a bit of a surprise to coach John Tortorella.
“I’m sure some guys, a little bit upset, are clutching their sticks,” Tortorella said. “But it’s kind of disjointed. … We need to know a little bit, what’s the word I’m looking for? A little bit of smoothness in our game, just good pace and puck support.”
Konecny has five goals, including one in three games, and 10 points this season.
However, another testament to the team’s struggles comes on defense – at minus-13 goal differential, which is second-worst in the NHL. Sean Couturier (plus-1) is the only player with a positive rating.
–Field level media
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