The Boston Bruins rebounded impressively from their season-opening defeat against the Panthers, delivering an exciting offensive display in their home opener on Thursday night. They secured a 6-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, highlighted by strong performances from both their top line and fourth line.
Elias Lindholm, the new top centerman, spearheaded the Bruins’ first line with a standout performance, contributing significantly in the first two periods. He assisted on the game’s opening goal, netted by Charlie McAvoy during a power play, and later scored his first goal as a Bruin to give Boston a 3-2 lead just before the end of the first period.
The second period saw Lindholm’s line continue to excel, with Pavel Zacha providing a key assist to David Pastrnak, who scored with a precise shot, putting Boston ahead 4-2. Lindholm concluded the game with a goal and two assists, while Pastrnak added a goal and an assist, with Zacha contributing another assist. Their aggressive play and ability to generate scoring chances were crucial to the team’s success.
Boston’s head coach, Jim Montgomery, praised the line’s performance, noting Lindholm’s increasing effectiveness in winning battles and contributing to the overall play.
While Lindholm expressed satisfaction with his line’s productivity, he emphasized the need for improvement, particularly in the third period where the team tended to sit back too much.
The Bruins’ fourth line, however, may have overshadowed the top line with their performance. Mark Kastelic scored two goals, Cole Koepke added a goal and two assists, and Johnny Beecher contributed with an assist, collectively amassing six points. Their physical play also made a significant impact on the game, contributing to the team’s energy and momentum.
Kastelic’s first goal came after the Canadiens briefly led 2-1, leveling the game at 2-2. Koepke followed by scoring his first goal as a Bruin, extending Boston’s lead to 5-2, before Kastelic set up Beecher for the final goal, which solidified a 6-4 advantage.
Lindholm commended the fourth line’s performance, highlighting their physicality and ability to generate energy for the team. Coach Montgomery echoed this sentiment, noting that the hard-working style of play from the fourth line was crucial for the Bruins’ win and expressing a desire for more players to adopt this approach.
Despite securing the victory, the Bruins’ defense showed areas for improvement, having struggled in the early part of the season. Nonetheless, the offensive performance marked a significant improvement and effectively lifted the team’s spirits after a disappointing opening night in Florida.