Recap: Bruins edge out Sharks, 4-3

The Boston Bruins came away with a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks this afternoon at the TD Garden, after the Sharks closed in on the Bruins’ lead with a late third-period surge.

Two redirections made the game a lot closer as the game neared its end, but the Bruins held on to the lead to hand the Sharks their first loss of the season.

“I think we gave up nothing,” Bruce Cassidy said. “They had two deflections that happened to find their way in. I didn’t mind the way we played. We could have extended the lead…to me they were just two tips that guys were not really in bad spots. We can always manage the puck better, but it wasn’t to me a barrage.”

First period:

The Bruins opened the scoring 28 seconds into the first period.

From behind the net, David Pastrnak backhanded a pass to Patrice Bergeron. At the goal line, Bergeron found Brad Marchand in the slot for a quick shot over Adin Hill’s glove. 1-0 Bruins.

The Bruins extended their lead at 3:18 of the first period.

Connor Clifton hit Marchand with a quick pass up high. Marchand slid the puck to Derek Forbort who put a long shot from the point past Hill’s blocker. 2-0 Bruins.

The Bruins took a three-goal lead at 16:12 of the first period on the power play.

Bergeron found Pastrnak inside the left-wing circle for a one-timer past Hill’s blocker. 3-0 Bruins.

The Sharks answered back at 16:44 of the first period.

Off the rush, Jonah Gadjovich and Jasper Weatherby skated down the left boards. Gadjovich backhanded a pass to Weatherby whose shot snuck past Linus Ullmark’s blocker. 3-1 game.

Second period:

The Bruins cushioned their lead at 5:41 of the second period.

Oskar Steen bounced a pass off the center boards to Jake DeBrusk rushing into the offensive zone where he sent a wrist shot top-shelf, far post to beat Hill’s glove. 4-1 Bruins.

James Reimer took over in net for the Sharks after DeBrusk’s goal.

Third period:

The Sharks cut their deficit in half at 13:19 of the third period.

Tomas Hertl redirected Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s shot top-shelf over Ullmark’s glove. 4-2 game.

The Sharks edged closer with a goal at 15:08 of the third period.

As Timo Meier was skating to the slot, he tipped in a long shot from Logan Couture. 4-3 game.

Despite San Jose’s late offensive push, Ullmark came up big in the final minutes with the help of strong defense and the Bruins held onto the 4-3 win.

Game notes:

• The Bruins started the game strong despite a few penalties in the first which could have easily allowed the Sharks to keep the game interesting early on. The PK had some breakdowns during the Sharks’ second power play and let three shots through traffic. Ullmark also left a huge rebound on the first PK that thankfully no one on San Jose was able to capitalize on with that wide-open net.
• Through the second period, the Bruins outshot the Sharks 22-16 and limited San Jose to five chances in the middle frame.
• The Bruins’ offense provided more opportunities, kept offensive-zone possession and tested Hill with better chances that carried over throughout the game. The Sharks did have quality attempts as the game progressed and which led to their comeback in the third.
• Hill was pulled after DeBrusk’s goal in the second period. He allowed four goals on 14 shots, three at even-strength and one power-play goal.
• Steen recorded his first NHL point with the assist on DeBrusk’s goal. Today was his fourth NHL game and he registered one shot on goal in 10:40 minutes on ice.
• The fourth line did a good job of dumping and chasing off the rush. They brought grit and played the body, but Jack Studnicka got lost in translation for most of the game. He wasn’t noticeable in the offensive zone besides his one SOG that followed with Trent Frederic’s fghting major.
• Cassidy spoke of the young players like Studnicka and Steen who were called up today and said they’ll learn that they need to become more selfish with the puck at times and attack the net instead of trying to make the pass.
• Bergeron, Pastrnak and Marchand continued to show why they are one of the best lines in hockey. The line combined for a total of six points today. Each had a two-point night. Their offensive cycling and stick work were spot on as they provided numerous chances around the slot.
• This was Marchand’s third multi-point night in the young season and Pastrnak’s and Bergeron’s first.
• Ullmark made 23 saves in his second consecutive start. Although the beginning of the game he didn’t see as many shots, he still provided a strong showing in net. He tracked the puck well and his glove was hot.
• Frederic and Jacob Middleton dropped the gloves at 3:02 of the third period.

The Bruins are back in action on Wednesday October 27th when they face the Florida Panthers on the road.