Bruins Postgame: Poitras Scores First Two; Bruins Win 3-1

BANGER: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy is expected to be a Norris Trophy candidate, and he showed why in this game. McAvoy finished the game with four hits and a blocked shot and had a clear surliness to him throughout the game.

DOGHOUSE: In only his second game with the Boston Bruins, defenseman Ian Mitchell had the secondary assist on Poitras’ first goal but took two rather lazy penalties. Mitchell was called for a puck over the glass delay of game at 3:41 into the second period and then a tripping penalty at 12:57 into the middle frame.

UNSUNG HERO: So far this season, one could easily argue the 2023 goaltending tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman have been the most clutch players for the Boston Bruins. So why then is Ullmark not written above in the ‘Clutch’ section?

Well, fair question, but in a 0-0 game, Poitras was absolutely CLUTCH!

Getting back to Ullmark, though, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner was superb once again. In what was a 0-0 game through two periods of play, Ullmark made 20 saves through 45 minutes before allowing a goal from Anaheim Ducks forward at 5:05 of the third period. Ullmark would go on to make 13 more saves in the final frame to backstop the Bruins to their fifth-straight win and improve to 3-0-0 on the season. Ullmark has now stopped 78 of 81 shots this season, and he and Swayman have now turned away 143 of 150 shots faced (a .953 save percentage).

KEY STAT: The Boston Bruins are now 21-for-22 on the penalty kill through their first five games.

LINEUP:

Forwards

Brad Marchand-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak

Jake DeBrusk-Matt Poitras-Morgan Geekie

James van Riemsdyk-Charlie Coyle-Trent Frederic

Jakub Lauko-John Beecher-Patrick Brown

Extra: Milan Lucic (injury)

Defensemen

Matt Grzelcyk-Charlie McAvoy

Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Carlo

Ian Mitchell-Kevin Shattenkirk

Extra: Derek Forbort (injury)

Goalies

Linus Ullmark

Jeremy Swayman