BOSTON – Jake DeBrusk scored on his long-awaited return to the lineup, Trent Frederic scored twice himself and Patrice Bergeron scored his 10th 20-goal season of his career as the Bruins secured a 6-2 win over the New York Islanders drove night at TD Garden.
“We were just talking about a home win,” said Nick Foligno, who had a two-point evening of his own with one goal and one assist. “Last night we didn’t get anyone coming back from here [All-Star] break, and it annoyed us. Something we talked about earlier in the year was that we’re a tough team at home, a tough place to play.
“We wanted to get back to that today so I was really proud of the lads against a strong team… we had to play well to be able to do that [beat] this team and they’re a strong, tough team and we got the job done today.”
Here’s everything you need to know about Boston’s victory at Causeway:
DeBrusk returns
After a few false positives, DeBrusk was finally back on the lineup Saturday night, picking up right where he left off. The winger, who missed 17 games after suffering hand and lower-body injuries at the Winter Classic on January 2, wasted no time getting back on the board as he posted a power play record of just 2:19 in earned the contest to defeat Boston 1-0 up with his 17th goal of the season.
“Yeah, it was actually a really weird feeling,” said DeBrusk, who was back in his familiar net front seat for the first powerplay session. “Before the game, I felt like I was obviously focused and determined, but I’ve been waiting for this day for a while… I just wanted to score, just wanted to score the first one. It was a great game [Brad Marchand]…even after the goal it felt a bit strange being out there for different times I think.
“It’s just one of those things where the game of hockey has such a fast pace and there’s a lot of different readings and things and it was a good feel game for sure and it was a big one from our team.”
DeBrusk’s goal came from the front door after catching a brilliant feed from Marchand and making a deft move to the net front before slipping a backhand through Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov’s five-hole. After Bergeron started the sequence by forcing a turnover down the wall, David Pastrnak picked up the second assist with a great backhand feed across the slot to Marchand for his 300th career assist.
“It’s a great move, he makes a game,” said coach Jim Montgomery of DeBrusk’s goal. “It’s obviously Pastrnak and Marchy and Bergy. Bergy, nobody knows how much he keeps the games alive. If he is not where he is, that puck will be deleted. Instead he gets his [stick] on it, keeps it in the zone, and then Pasta and Marchy make electric passes and JD finishes a great play. The balance in and around the net, it’s high-end.”
Video: DeBrusk scores after injury
DeBrusk later collected an assist when his shot from the high slit off the glass behind the Islanders goal ricocheted over the top edge of the net and bounced into the crease where Bergeron was there to follow it up for a 4-1 lead for Boston knocking home 8:17 of the second.
“Probably just scoring goals,” DeBrusk said of what he missed most after being out for about six weeks. “I think that’s the biggest thing. But no, everything is included. It’s one of those things where it’s the camaraderie on the bench, it’s the intense shifts where you’re flying around out there and also just skating fast. It gets a little easy when everything is taken away from you.”
The Edmonton native was also back alongside Bergeron and Marchand as a first-line right wing, a spot he took almost exactly a year ago and has thrived at ever since.
“It was great. He looked fantastic,” said Bergeron. “I think he missed almost 17 games. It’s not easy when you come back after a long time. Kudos to him. He did the job off the ice and on the ice I think to make sure he is ready and he looked ready to go.
“I thought his legs were there. Obviously scoring that goal early helps, I’m sure it helps to come back. It was nice to have him on our side.
Video: Montgomery speaks to the media after beating NYI 6-2
Bergeron meets Mark
Bergeron’s tally was his 20th this season, giving him the 14th campaign of its kind in his career, which is good for the second-highest in Bruins history behind Johnny Bucyk (16). It was also the tenth consecutive season that Bergeron has scored at least 20 goals.
“It’s nice. One of those things that I’m glad it got in, but other than that, you sort of move on to the next thing,” Bergeron said. “To play with some great players. And of course it’s been a special year in many ways. Just grateful to be a part of it.”
Foligno, who watched Bergeron from afar for years, called the Boston captain “the paragon of consistency in this league”.
“He does it offensively. He does it even more defensively. He’s a guy I’ve admired for a long time and we all do that,” said Foligno. “The way he plays the game. He plays the game right. I think that’s one of the best compliments you can give a player and he does it.”
“He scored a pretty goal tonight to take his 20th. That was a sick goal today. But it’s no surprise. He just does things right. He’s a guy who’s also very passionate about his craft, and there’s a reason for that. There’s so many goals and so many years. I don’t think he’s going to slow down any time soon.”
Video: Bergeron hits 20-goal mark, Bs beat NYI 6-2
Frederic Pot’s two
Frederic, meanwhile, could be heading for the first 20-goal season of his career after hitting 13 goals this year with two goals – his third multi-goal competition of the season – against the Islanders. The 25-year-old scored his first of the day with 2:41 in the first when he tapped a Charlie McAvoy shot home from the point to extend Boston’s lead to 3-0. Then, at 8:30 of the second game, Frederic secured his second when he picked up a loose puck on the red line, charged into the offensive zone, opened up in the high slot and ripped a wrister on Varlamov’s glove to make it 5-1 .
“I think a lot of that is confidence,” said Frederic, who scored his record eight goals last season. “The tip is the tip and it can happen at any time. The other just shoots instead of maybe passing. [Matt Grzelcyk] I rode well, somehow got the right D and I just got a good shot.”
Frederic centered the fourth line between AJ Greer and Foligno, the latter of whom has seen considerable growth in his linemate’s game this season.
“I think he just understands now what makes him successful in this league,” said Foligno. “You can see he’s a guy who moves his feet. He goes into areas where he knows he will score. He has the ability to score in many different ways, but he gives himself those looks that are tight and round and net that plays heavy.
“He was a real threat every time he was on the ice so I give him credit. He’s found that consistency that I think every player strives for, and this year he seems to have found the recipe for what’s giving him success.
“A big part of that is moving your feet and being physical. He’s already a reliable player in the way he positions himself. But he understands how effective he can be in the role he’s in right now.”
Video: Foligno speaks to the media after the 6-2 win over NYI
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