Jake DeBrusk scored two goals to power the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night at Nationwide Arena.
DeBrusk netted the game-winner on a snap shot strike in the extra session, following a heads-up play from Hampus Lindholm along the blue-line, as the Bruins earned their second straight win against the Blue Jackets. The pair of tallies pushed DeBrusk’s season total to 21, marking his first 20-goal campaign since 2018-19.
The Blue Jackets scored first on Emil Bemstrom’s snipe shot nearly five minutes in.
DeBrusk evened the score 1-1 after notching a breakaway goal on Charlie McAvoy’s feed (two assists) with less than two minutes to go in the opening 20.
“It’s one of those things where good teams find a way to win,” DeBrusk said to reporters following the win. “I had my stick up and was looking for a breakaway. It was nice to finally score on; I had three breakaways tonight.”
The Bruins gained a 2-1 lead after Smith secured his 16th goal of the season midway through the second stanza. But another buzzer-beater from the Blue Jackets knotted the score at 2-2 as Zach Werenski went glove-side high on a goal with 15 seconds left in the middle 20.
Despite quality scoring chances on both ends, the third period didn’t decide a winner, setting the stage for DeBrusk’s overtime clincher.
Monday’s one-goal win gave the B’s the season sweep against the Blue Jackets and their seventh victory in eight games.
Linus Ullmark quietly put together another sparkling game with 20 saves to catapult him to his 22nd victory in between the pipes.
Here’s what we learned following the Bruins’ bruising overtime win over the Blue Jackets.
DeBrusk steps up for depleted Bruins forward corps
Despite the two points, the B’s lost Trent Frederic and David Pastrnak to injury in this one.
Without a pair of middle-six wingers, DeBrusk took it upon himself to be the hero for the B’s while keeping his scoring streak alive.
DeBrusk has lit the lamp for a season-long five consecutive games, dating back to the win against the New York Islanders on Mar. 26. The 25-year-old has thrived on the Bruins’ top line with 16 goals since moving up to play with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.
Bruins survive a penalty-filled affair in Columbus
The two teams combined for a whopping 17 penalties in Monday’s grueling battle, but the B’s came out top despite not capitalizing on any of their opportunities with the man-advantage.
The first period featured the most infractions with nine. The officials assessed six penalties in the second and two during the third.
The constant calls made it challenging for a natural rhythm to take shape; however, each team pounced on chances to force overtime.
Marchand was at the center of controversy once again
While DeBrusk opened the scoring for the Bruins, Marchand found himself in the center of attention following his encounter with Andre Peeke moments before the goal. Marchand sent Peeke to the ice with a booming hit, but the Columbus defenseman remained in the game.
Much to the dismay of the Blue Jackets, who remained peeved for the rest of the first period, the officiating crew didn’t assess a penalty to Marchand.
The NHL Player Safety Department suspended Marchand twice this season, including his recent six-game ban for punching Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry in early February.
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