Brad Marchand
(Photo Credits: The Associated Press/Telegram & Gazette)

By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88

The Bruins are enjoying the start of a successful Western road trip as they win their fourth consecutive game tonight at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. Jeremy Swayman made many key saves against a persistent Sharks team, while the returning Brad Marchand tallied two goals.

GAME RECAP

The Sharks had the early man-advantage as Bruins’ Erik Haula was sent to the penalty box on a double minor stemming from a high stick against Tomas Hertl. Boston was able to kill off the four-minute power play.

Brad Marchand got the B’s an early lead as he scored on a one-timer from a pass by Jake DeBrusk. The left-winger tallied his 22nd goal of the season at 14:24 in the first period. With a little over four minutes left to the period, the Bruins again found themselves on the penalty kill as the team was assessed for a bench penalty for too many men on the ice (served by Craig Smith). No score during San Jose’s power-play.

Boston was very close in making it 2-0 as James Reimer lost sight of a loose puck that trickled slowly behind the Shark’s netminder. It was quickly covered by Reimer. A good showing for the B’s as they close out the first leading by one goal.

SCORE END OF FIRST PERIOD: BOS-1, SJS-0

SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-9, SJS-5

The Bruins would get on the power play for the first time tonight as Mario Ferraro got called for a holding penalty against Nick Foligno (no goal for either team). For the third time tonight, the B’s were down a player as Taylor Hall was called for an interference penalty against Mario Ferraro (who needed assistance getting off the ice).

San Jose tied the game seconds into the power play when Timo Meier slapped one in past Jeremy Swayman, tallying his 24th goal of the season. Boston did have a late chance to regain the lead as the Sharks were assessed a bench minor for too many men on the ice (served by Ryan Dzingel). No goals for either team as the second closes out at one goal each. Ferraro did not return to the game due to a lower-body injury.

SCORE END OF SECOND PERIOD: BOS-1, SJS-1

SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-14, SJS-5

Boston would get on the power play early in the third period as Noah Gregor was nabbed for hi-sticking against Patrice Bergeron. As the power play ended, the Bruins regained the lead when Marchand scored off a feed from Taylor Hall, making it 2-1.

As time ticked away tempers flared down the Bruins zone. Connor Clifton and Jeffrey Viel were both assessed penalties for roughing which led to four-on-four action. Bruins’ goaltender Jeremy Swayman was forced to make multiple saves as the Sharks relentlessly hammered the young netminder.

With 39 seconds left to the game Bruins’ Captain Patrice Bergeron sealed the teams’ win as he nailed a one-timer past Reimer, making the final score 3-1. It will be their ninth consecutive win against the Sharks. Swayman made 15 saves for the Bruins, who are now 31-17-4; James Reimer made 34 saves for the Sharks, who are now 23-23-6.

SCORE END OF GAME: BOS-3, SJS-1

TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-37, SJS-16

NEXT GAME: Boston Bruins versus Los Angeles Kings, Monday, February 28th with puck drop at 10:30 PM EST