The Boston Bruins remained unbeaten in regulation through 10 games on Thursday night, topping the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in a shootout at TD Garden. The 9-0-1 start is the best in franchise history. The 19 points in the 10 games thus far, eclipses the 18 points by last year’s club that started 9-1-0 in the same number of games.
Boston took a 2-0 lead courtesy of a tip-in goal by Pavel Zacha in the low slot off a pass by Brandon Carlo at 18:51 of the first period, and the first goal of the season by Jake Debrusk on a wrister 1:36 into the second. Toronto struck twice in a span of 1:03 of the middle period to tie it, on tallies by Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews at 6:31 and 7:34 respectively. Both teams had numerous chances to take the lead the remainder of regulation, but both netminders Jeremy Swayman for the Bruins and Ilya Samsonov for the Maple Leafs came up big to keep it tied. Boston had a powerplay opportunity in the 3 on 3 overtime, but also couldn’t find the back of the net as the game would move to the shootout. Debrusk and Charlie Coyle would score in that shootout, and Swayman stopped both William Nylander and Matthews to secure the extra point. The B’s are also one of two teams in the league that remain unbeaten in regulation so far (Vegas Golden Knights are also 9-0-1).
Swayman had 33 saves in net in the victory for Boston. Coyle, Carlo, Brad Marchand each had an assist each as did Mason Lohrei in his NHL debut. Samsonov had 38 saves in the loss for Toronto, as they fall to 5-3-2. Matthews had a goal and an assist. Both teams went 0-2 on the powerplay. The Bruins return to action on Saturday when they visit Detroit to take on the Red Wings at 7 p.m.
Story by Chris Lessner
