Whatever goals the Bruins set for themselves prior to the 2022-2023 season – some realistic others more aspirational – you have to imagine they have all been achieved.
Save one.
With a 2-1 overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night at the Garden, the B’s guaranteed that the road to the Stanley Cup rolls through Boston.
The win clinched the Presidents’ Trophy as the best team in hockey, ensuring the Bruins will have home ice throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The victory was also the Bruins’ 58th win of the season, the most in franchise history.
“It’s been a magical season so far,” Bruins’ first-year coach Jim Montgomery said. “We know the hardest part is ahead of us and we’re looking forward to that grind.”
David Pastrnak scored the game winner in overtime, his 53rd, off a sweet feed from defenseman Hampus Landholm. Tyler Bertuzzi drew the Bruins even on the power play in the second with a tap in off a feed from Pavel Zacha. Linus Ullmark earned the win finishing the night with 25 saves.
Fight Club
The Bruins also showed a lot of fight in this one. Three to be exact. Jakub Lauko, Trent Frederic and Brandon Carlo all dropped the gloves.
Frederic’s scrap was in response to another player taking liberties with Captain Patrice Bergeron. Lane Pederson delivered a crosscheck to Bergeron’s head resulting in 5 stitches.
The Bruins scored on the ensuing power play to tie the game 1-1-. And when Pederson got out of the box, Frederic was waiting. The two squared off and Frederic sent Pederson crashing to the ice with a single punch.
Fight over. Message received.
Trent Frederic knocks Lane Pederson down with one punch in the quickest fight you'll see#NHLBruins | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/46XSZooRpw
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) March 31, 2023
“I think there’s a lot of guys who would do that for Bergy,” Frederic said. “Pretty much anyone on the team…just had to be my turn.”
“I’d like to think that we’re like that for everyone,” Bergeron added. “I feel like we’re a tight group and it’s a pack mentality. It means a lot that [Frederic] stepped up, but I know he would’ve done it for anyone else.”
President’s Trophy Curse?
It’s been nine seasons since a team won both the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup. Head coach Jim Montgomery’s not sweating it.
“Presidents’ Cup teams have also won the most percentage of Stanley Cups. So I’m going to look at it that way,” Montgomery said. “I’d rather be Presidents’ Cup than second, third, fourth or fifth. They haven’t won the Cup as much.”
Power Play Shakeup
The Bruins power play continues to be. work in progress but the unit saw some success on Thursday thanks in part to some adjustments made by Montgomery.
The Bruins new-look second unit scored in the second with Bertuzzi providing a strong net front presence.
“[Bertuzzi’s] really good there,” Montgomery said. “He knows when to screen and when to slide off like he did on the goal…he’s in those areas constantly and I think that’s why he’s gonna be really important for us when the games get really hard to score.”
Loose Pucks
- Nick Foligno joined the NESN broadcast booth and was downright giddy watching Lauko drop the gloves for his first NHL fight.
- Foligno and Taylor Hall continue to skate in non-contact jerseys.
- Boston has now win 6 straight against Columbus including two prior wins this season by a combined total of 8-2.
- 7 of the last 9 games between the two clubs has been decided by 1 goal
