Trent Fredric and Erik Haula scored goals 1:12 apart early in the first period on Saturday afternoon, in helping the Boston Bruins clinch an Eastern Conference Playoff berth with a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at TD Garden in Boston.
Fredric scored just 49 seconds into the game, and Haula followed at 2:01 that was the eventual game winner to send Boston (46-24-5) to the playoffs for a sixth straight season. Former Bruin Danton Heinen had the only tally for Pittsburgh in the second period, as the Penguins see their record go to 43-23-11. The B’s end a three game losing streak that included disappointing home losses to St. Louis and Ottawa earlier this week.
Jeremy Swayman stopped 23 of 24 shots in net for Boston, and Craig Smith and Mike Reilly had an assist each on the two goals. Former UNH product Casey DeSmith had 27 saves in the loss for Pittsburgh. The Bruins will make their 75th overall appearance in franchise history in the NHL Playoffs.
