(Photo Credits: Duane Burleson, Associated Press)

By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88

The Boston Bruins opened up the new year with a pair of back-to-back wins after defeating Detroit this afternoon with a 5-1 victory. After a comeback overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres this past Saturday night, the B’s were hoping to bring that momentum into today’s game, and boy they did not disappoint.

GAME SUMMARY

Despite outscoring the Red Wings early in the first, it would be Tyler Bertuzzi who opened up the scoring giving Detroit an early lead 1-0. Both Danny DeKeyser and Dylan Larkin recorded the assists. With over six minutes left to the period, Patrice Bergeron would wrist one in past Alex Nedeljkovic after a cross-ice feed from Craig Smith, tying the game 1-1.

END OF PERIOD SCORE: BOS-1, DET-1

SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-15, DET-6

As the game continued so did the hits. An aggressive second period saw Vladislav Namestnikov and Brad Marchand both getting fighting and slashing penalties. Moments later both Sam Gagner and Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman get nabbed for unsportsmanlike conduct (served by Erik Haula).

Not too long after, Trent Frederic was called for cross-checking against Moritz Seider, and Jake Debrusk was called for hooking against Joe Veleno. Fresh from out of the box, Haula sniped the puck in giving the Bruins a 2-1 lead.

END OF SECOND PERIOD SCORE: BOS-2, DET-1

SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-8, DET-10

Boston had complete control of the game going into the third as they extended their lead convincingly. Charlie McAvoy got the Bruins up 3-1 with a one-timer from a pass by Taylor Hall. Boston struck again as Trent Frederic nabbed his first goal of the season giving the team a 4-1 lead. Moments later former Red Winger Tomas Nosek gave the B’s their fifth goal of the night as they sealed their second victory of the new year.

With today’s victory, Boston has now moved past the Red Wings in the standings for fourth place in the Atlantic Division. The B’s are now 16-10-2 while Detroit is 15-15-3. Jeremy Swayman made 23 saves on 24 shots. Today’s loss marks the first time that the Red Wings have lost back-to-back home games this season and have lost six of their last eight games.

END OF GAME SCORE: BOS-5, DET-1

TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-37, DET: 24

NEXT GAME: Tuesday, January 4th with puck drop after 7:00 pm versus New Jersey Devils, TD Garden