As the Boston Bruins and Matthew Poitras concluded a four-game trip spanning multiple time zones, they had more than enough to comfortably defeat the Chicago Blackhawks.
With goals from Trent Frederic and Poitras separated by 56 seconds in the third quarter, the Bruins defeated the Blackhawks 3-0 on Tuesday to match their greatest start in team history.
Boston started the trip with victories in San Jose, Los Angeles, and Anaheim, and Pavel Zacha added another goal. Jeremy Swayman recorded his tenth career shutout with 23 saves.
It’s unique. That’s critical to our future endeavors, Swayman stated. “We were aware that our journey to the West Coast, the time difference, and other obstacles we could find reasons to put off, would be difficult. However, I believe we took advantage of it, and there is a lot of energy going forward.
In the 100th season of the club, the Bruins improved to 6-0. In addition, Boston won its first six games in 1937–38.
Jim Montgomery, the head coach of the Boston Bruins, remarked that the team is “starting to see our team character build because I think the LA game as well as this game tonight, you’re starting to see us be a heavy, grinding team, that I think is what we’re going to have to be.”
For Chicago, Petr Mrazek made 40 stops in their third straight defeat. On October 11, the Blackhawks suffered a 3-1 loss in Boston against the Bruins as well.
For the majority of the evening, the Bruins held the upper hand, but it was only good for a 1-0 lead before Poitras & Frederic helped seal the victory.
At 4:06, the 19-year-old Poitras beat Mrazek on the glove side after skating by seasoned Blackhawks forward Corey Perry. In a 3-1 victory at Anaheim on Sunday, the rookie forward scored his first two goals in the NHL.
Poitras stated, “I just had to skate as fast as I could because I saw a lot of open ice. Fortunately, I was able to pull away and find the back of the net.”
Frederic scored a goal to make it 3-0 after James van Riemsdyk’s deft ball. It was the second season goal for Frederic.
Coach Luke Richardson of Chicago stated, “I’m kind of at the point, tired, one year’s enough of we’re a hard-working team.” “I believe that this year we should aim for more. Though I believe we begin with the best of intentions, I find that the other teams do not outwork us in terms of work ethic, I would like to point out that the work is quite difficult—I mean, it’s like physical 1-on-1 matches.
With 6:45 remaining in the first quarter, Connor Bedard’s power-play goal seemed to put Chicago ahead. Charlie Coyle, a defenseman for Boston, sent the puck directly to Bedard, who scored a spectacular goal from the slot against Swayman.
However, Montgomery’s offside challenge caused it to be dismissed. When the decision was announced, the 19,370-person crowd at United Center booed.
Zacha’s first goal of the season gave Boston the lead 3:50 into the second half. Kevin Shattenkirk’s attempt from just inside the blue line was tipped in by Zacha.
Boston won the game, defeating Chicago 18–7. But Mrazek managed to keep the Blackhawks in contention.