(Photo Credit: Mark Stockwell / The Boston Globe)

By: Tom Calautti | Follow me on Twitter @TCalauttis

The Boston Bruins took on the Philadelphia Flyers in what seemed like the preseason’s first regular season dress rehearsal game. With a lineup composed of most NHL players, the Bruins dominated Philly for the majority of the game and ground out a 4-1 win. Here’s what stood out:

Bussi Stands Tall

Given the ongoing cold war between the Boston Bruins and Jeremy Swayman, Brandon Bussi has an incredible opportunity in front of him. The 26-year-old has had an up-and-down preseason, with some moments showcasing his potential to make game-changing saves and others showing a need for better rebound control. Bussi had, far and away, his best game of the preseason, turning away 13 of 14 Flyer shots and making several key saves to keep the game tied and maintain the lead.

“I thought he read plays well, and I thought he was aggressive,” said Head Coach Jim Montgomery on his goalie’s performance. “He was moving well. There was a flurry in the first where (the Flyers) missed the net, but he was there.”

The Bruins opened the scoring with a Justin Brazeau tap-in off a Nikita Zadorov feed, but the Flyers were able to answer back in the second period. One of Bussi’s biggest saves came with the game knotted at one when former Bruins Anthony Richard flew past Andrew Peeke and came down unopposed on the Sound Beach, NY native. Bussi followed Richard with each deke he made and forced a low-percentage jam into the goaltender’s right leg pad.

“It felt good,” said Bussi about making the save. “I played with him last year, so I kind of know some things, but he made a good move, and it felt good to make a big save in a game where I didn’t see a lot of rubber.”

With no end in sight on the Swayman situation, Bussi has earned a spot on the roster until things change.

Tyler Johnson Sticking Around

There are no guarantees when a team brings a player in on a PTO. Tyler Johnson knows that better than anybody, and he’s doing his best to seize the opportunity. With the game knotted at one and Brad Marchand out of the lineup with an illness, Johnson took the captain’s place on the first powerplay.

Bruins fans are well aware of the chemistry between David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha, but it was nice to see them connect during live game action. Pastrnak took a Charlie McAvoy pass on his forehand and found Zacha below the goal line, who quickly sent the puck across the ice to Johnson, who smacked it home.

Johnson recounted the powerplay to reporters: “It was good movement, and there was good support all around. Obviously, Pasta made a good play to Zacha, and he just found me. I’m pretty sure anyone could’ve scored.”

Boston’s management has been complimentary of Johnson throughout the entirety of this process, and it has shades of the Danton Heinen situation last year. If Johnson continues to play like this, he’ll earn a spot on the roster by opening night.

Forechecking in Waves

All offseason, Bruins brass talked about wanting to “hold onto pucks longer” in the offensive zone. Translation: they wanted to be a better, more dominant forechecking team, and tonight, they did just that. Look at any possession metric you want, and it’ll tell you that the Bruins dominated this game. Shots on goal were 34-14, shot attempts were 67-34, scoring chances were 34-19, and high-danger chances were 13-5.

“I thought we managed the game well,” said Montgomery. “The best part was how committed we were to checking. I thought our checking led to a lot of (offensive) zone time which led to wearing them down and creating scoring chances.”

The Bruins played last night’s game the way their head coach and management have designed them to play: wear down your opponent, dominate possession, and limit grade-A chances in your end. The lineup trotted out last night was the closest thing we’ve seen to what will come on opening night (sans Matt Poitras and Max Jones), and while it’s still early, the offseason plan seems to be working.

Game Notes:

  • Brad Marchand left last night’s game with an illness, but Montgomery said he should be fine.
  • David Pastrnak had two secondary assists on the evening.
  • Although it was a brief look, I liked what I saw from the Marchand-Coyle-Geekie trio.
  • Mark Kastelic is a fiend for post-whistle scrums. Every time there’s a chance to grab someone and stir the pot, he takes it. He has the makings of a real throwback Bruin.