Patrice Bergeron broke a third-period tie, and the Boston Bruins defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-1 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Wednesday.
Bergeron tipped a point shot by Hampus Lindholm at the front of the net to put the Bruins ahead 2-1 at 15:51. It was Bergeron’s fourth goal in the past five games.
Lindholm had two assists, and Linus Ullmark made 30 saves for the Bruins (28-4-3), who are 7-0-2 in their past nine games.
“That play by Bergeron, there’s not [enough] words to describe him,” Boston coach Jim Montgomery said. “That’s a big-time goal. Not everyone goes to those hard areas. That’s why he scored. That’s why he has a thousand points. That’s why he’s our leader.”
Video: BOS@NJD: Bergeron tips in a goal for the lead
Nico Hischier scored, and Vitek Vanecek made 24 saves for the Devils (22-11-2), who have lost eight of nine (1-7-1), including 4-3 to Boston on Friday.
New Jersey has lost six straight at home (outscored 23-12).
“It’s just too bad, we played a good game today,” Devils forward Erik Haula said. “We did all the things that we talk about, but then it’s, you know, we give them the first goal and our details are lacking on the second one. It’s a team that, I don’t know, they don’t miss too often
“You’ve got to play 60 minutes, and especially when you play against the best teams in the League. If you don’t play 60 [minutes]you’re vulnerable, and we’ve got to fix that now.”
Video: BOS@NJD: Hischier evens the score in the 3rd period
New Jersey had its chances, notably in the first period when it outshot Boston 16-8 in a stretch that included multiple breakaway opportunities and Jack Hughes missing the net on a 2-on-1.
“I thought we heavily outplayed them with quality chances,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. “You look at a couple of breakaways, [Miles] Wood alone, [Jesper] Bratt alone, Hughes alone, 2-on-1 in the first period that we didn’t capitalize on. … I thought we did a lot of good stuff in the game.”
Trent Frederic gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead at 8:57 of the second period. Lindholm intercepted a clearing attempt by the Devils forward Michael McLeod at the blue line and skated to the high slot before leaving a short drop pass for Frederic.
Video: BOS@NJD: Frederic rips shot from the slot
Hischier, with Boston forward Taylor Hall on his back as he drove to the net, took a pass from Fabian Zetterlund in front and put it through the five-hole to tie it 1-1 at 6:11 of the third period, ending a six-game goal drought.
“I thought the emotion was good, I thought the emotion in the game was good,” Ruff said. “I thought our tracking back and our puck possession and driving the play was really good. You just have to stay with the program. For the most part, that whole third period we were staying with the program. Turnovers cost us.”
Pavel Zacha scored into an empty net at 18:11 of the third for the 3-1 final.
“Once you take care of the process, the results fall in line,” Bergeron said. “For me, it’s all about the process and details. That’s who we are. I think that’s our identity. We [have] to concentrate and put the emphasis on details.”
NOTES: Ullmark (20-1-1 in 24 games) tied Andrei Vasilevskiy (2020-21, Tampa Bay Lightning) and Andrew Hammond (2014-15, Ottawa Senators) for the second-fewest games to 20 wins in a season, trailing Tiny Thompson (23, 1929-30, Boston). … Ullmark’s 39th win of 2022 tied Tuukka Rask (2013) for the most in a calendar year by a Bruins goalie with one game remaining, Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. … Boston is 19-0-1 when leading after two periods, the most wins in the NHL. … Lindholm has seven assists in the past six games. … Devils forward Tyce Thompson was minus-1 in 9:53 in his season debut after being recalled from Utica of the American Hockey League on Wednesday. … Devils defenseman Damon Severson played his 600th NHL game. … New Jersey placed forward Andreas Johnson on waivers Wednesday.
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