David Pastrnak scored a game winning second period goal, and also added an empty netter late in leading the Boston Bruins to a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in the opener of their centennial 2023-24 season at TD Garden.
Connor Bedard, the #1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL entry draft playing in his second game, scored his first career goal to give Chicago a 1-0 lead at 5:37 of the first period. The 18-year old center followed his initial shot and wrapped it around the net and in past Boston goalie Linus Ullmark. Trent Federic got the Bruins even at 11:22 of the opening stanza, tipping in a point shot by Brandon Carlo. Matthew Poitras also picked up an assist on the tally in his first pro game. The game winner was set up by old friend Milan Lucic, who has returned to don the Boston jersey for the first time since the 2014-15 season. Lucic sent a pass cross-ice to Pastrnak on a 2 on 1 breakout, and Pastrnak stepped into the left faceoff circle and released a hard quick wristshot beating Blackhawks goalie Arvid Soderblom under the arm gloveside into the right corner of the net at 13:09 of the second period. Both teams had additional chances in the third, but it was ultimately an empty net goal by Pastrnak with 58 seconds left that sealed the win.
Ullmark made 20 saves in net in the Boston victory. Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy added one assist each on the empty netter late by Pastrnak. Ryan Donato and Taylor Hall each had an assist in the loss for Chicago (1-1), with Soderblom making 30 saves. Both teams went 0-3 on the powerplay. Boston is back in action on Saturday when they host Nashville at 7 p.m.
Story by Chris Lessner
