Bruins bag Leafs once again
The Bruins’ dominance of the Maple Leafs continued Thursday at TD Garden as the B’s won, 4-2, their eighth straight victory over Toronto (15-10-0) – the longest mark in franchise history against their Original 6 rivals. Boston (15-3-3) snapped its two-game losing streak as Anton Khudobin (25 saves) improved to 4-1-0 and Patrice Bergeron’s line stated their case as the hottest trio in the NHL.
Bergeron (goal, assist), Tyler Seguin (two goals, assist) and Brad Marchand (two assists) were the three stars, in that order, as they combined for eight points. They have put up 14 goals and 23 assists in their last nine games overall.
There was plenty of chippy play and it started early as Adam McQuaid and Mark Fraser fought in a heavyweight bout less than four minutes into the game.
Boston scored a goal in the final two minutes of each period, a backbreaking exercise which took the life out of Toronto. Bergeron made it 1-0 with 53 seconds left in the first period, following up a nice net drive by Seguin (something he’s not always known for).
Nazem Kadri tied it for the Leafs early in the second period after a 2-1 advantage but Boston answered with a 2-on-1 of its own that ended with Marchand dishing to Seguin. David Krejci had what turned out to be the game-winner on a rebound with 1:57 left in the second period. Toronto showed some life as Mikhail Grabovski cut it to 3-2 with 5:08 left but Seguin clinched it with an empty-netter.
Philadelphia (11-13-1) comes to the Garden on Saturday (1 p.m., NESN) for its first meeting of the season with the B’s. Games against the Flyers typically never lack for physical play or excitement so expect an entertaining matinee with Tuukka Rask back in the net for Boston.
Follow Metro Boston Bruins beat writer Richard Slate on Twitter: @RichSlate
