Bruins vs. Sharks Takeaways: Boston’s Offense Comes Through in Road Win

Bruins vs. Sharks Takeaways: Boston’s Offense Comes Through in Road Win originally appeared on NESN.
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The Boston Bruins continued their winning streak Tuesday night, using a six-goal performance to defeat the San Jose Sharks 6-3 at SAP Center.

Boston had six different scoring opportunities pay off, with Fraser Minten finding the net twice and Charlie McAvoy scoring in his season debut. Matthew Poitras and Pavel Zacha also scored, while Jeremy Swayman made 35 saves to help the Bruins secure their third consecutive win.

Here are four takeaways from Boston’s victory over San Jose.

Charlie McAvoy Makes Immediate Impact in Return

McAvoy wasted little time contributing after returning from his six-game suspension.

The defenseman scored late in the first period to give Boston a 2-1 lead. After JJ Peterka collected a rebound near the net, he found McAvoy moving toward the crease, and the defenseman redirected the puck past Yaroslav Askarov.

McAvoy missed the Bruins’ first six games while serving a suspension for slashing Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson during the first round of last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.

His goal came at an important point in Tuesday’s game, allowing Boston to regain the lead after Jacob Trouba tied the score. McAvoy’s return also gave the Bruins another experienced option on defense as they began their longest road stretch of the early season.

Fraser Minten Delivers Two-Goal Performance

Minten continued his productive start to the season with two goals against San Jose.

The forward opened the scoring at 12:55 of the first period, receiving a pass from Casey Mittelstadt before beating Askarov with a shot from above the right circle. Minten struck again in the third, finishing a setup from Marat Khusnutdinov to push Boston’s lead to 5-3.

The second goal was especially important after Macklin Celebrini brought the Sharks within one early in the third period. Minten’s finish restored a two-goal cushion with just over eight minutes remaining, giving Boston some breathing room before Borgen added an empty-net goal.

Minten’s two-goal performance helped the Bruins overcome a Sharks team that continued to generate chances throughout the night.

Jeremy Swayman Helps Boston Hold Off Shark

Swayman delivered another productive outing as Boston continued its winning streak.

The goaltender stopped 35 of San Jose’s 38 shots, earning his third consecutive victory. The Sharks put sustained pressure on Boston in the second period, including a stretch in which they recorded the first 10 shots of the frame before Hampus Lindholm registered the Bruins’ first attempt.

San Jose also converted twice on the power play, with Stenberg and Celebrini providing the goals. Swayman and the Bruins defense nevertheless did enough to keep the Sharks from completing a comeback.

Bruins Answer Every Sharks Push

Boston repeatedly found a response whenever San Jose threatened to take control.

After Trouba tied the game in the first period, McAvoy put the Bruins back in front. The Sharks pulled even again in the second when rookie Ivar Stenberg scored his first NHL goal on the power play, but Poitras restored Boston’s advantage by capitalizing on a loose puck near the net.

Zacha then gave the Bruins a 4-2 lead with just three seconds remaining in the second period, finishing a two-on-one rush created with Morgan Geekie.

San Jose made it a one-goal game again early in the third when Celebrini scored on the power play. Boston responded once more through Minten, and Borgen’s empty-net goal finished off the victory.

The Bruins’ ability to regain their footing after each Sharks goal proved decisive in a game that featured several momentum swings.

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