Image result for boston bruins vs new jersey devils january 16th 2021
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By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88

It wasn’t the welcome Boston had hoped for when they returned to TD Garden after playing on the road for most of February. The Bruins have now lost two out of three games against the Devils and are 10-3-2.

GAME BREAKDOWN

It was a quick start to the first period as the Boston Bruins had a few days to tweak up their lines as they faced a fast Devils team. The team had some early looks as the action was spent more down Jersey’s zone. Despite some pressure on the net, Mackenzie Blackwood was able to block multiple shots. Not be to be outdone, New Jersey brought their game and sent the puck towards the Bruins net, however, Halak kept them at bay.

Both teams continued to have close calls on either end of the ice but were unable to score. New Jersey would draw their first power play of the night as Boston’s Chris Wagner was called for tripping against Miles Wood. The Devils were unable to capitalize on their man advantage as Halak once again answered their shots. In the last few minutes of the first, the Bruins and the Devils traded potential scoring chances and ended the period with tempers flaring.

SCORE END OF PERIOD: BOS-0, NJD-0

SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-7, NJD-7

The speed of the game did not falter at the beginning of the second period. Unfortunately, the Devils would get on the scoreboard first as Kyle Palmieri scored making it 1-0. A disagreement on the ice led to four-on-four action for two minutes. Kyle Palmieri and Charlie McAvoy were each called for roughing that came way of a hit to David Pastrnak. No score for either team. Once again, New Jersey would be on the power-play as John Moore was called for a tripping penalty.

With less than a minute left on the power play, P.K. Subban would be called for a four-minute high stick penalty. A bad turnover led to a short-handed goal for the Devils as Kyle Palmieri scored his second of the night. Jake DeBrusk would get on the board for the Bruins, scoring his first of the season, making it 2-1. David Krejci did not return to the game due to a lower-body injury.

Another four-on-four action for both teams after a scuffle broke out in front of the Bruins net. A breakdown in Boston’s defense led to another Devils goal making it 3-1, as they are unable to connect with their passes while ending the period on a frustrating note.

SCORE END OF PERIOD: BOS-1, NJD-3

SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-8, NJD-11

The Bruins open up the third period down two goals as they play catch-up to a quick Devils team. New Jersey would draw another man advantage as Jeremy Lauzon was called on a tripping penalty against Kyle Palmieri. A careless play led to another Devils power play as Brad Marchand was called on a high stick against Jack Hughes. Boston had a spurt in their game after killing off the New Jersey power play but was unable to score.

As time ticked away, Boston just could not find a way to score. In the last two minutes, the Bruins would get on the power play and with an empty net were on the six-on-four man advantage. Charlie McAvoy would tip one in, making it 3-2. Boston would flutter the net in the last few seconds but were unable to score, losing their second game in a row.

FINAL SCORE: BOS-2, NJD-3

TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-27, NJD-26

NEXT GAME: Sunday, February 21st against the Philadelphia Flyers for the Outdoor Series @ Lake Tahoe with puck drop at 3:00 pm EST