Bruins Score Six to Defeat Canadiens in Boston
The Bruins celebrated their centennial with a decisive 6-3 victory over the Canadiens on Sunday at TD Garden.
A Fast Start Sets the Tone
The Bruins seized control early, scoring three times in a span of 70 seconds during the first period. Charlie McAvoy opened the scoring at 11:45, outmaneuvering Montreal goaltender Cayden Primeau. David Pastrnak then capitalized on a Canadiens defensive lapse at 12:40 to extend the lead. Charlie Coyle rounded out the burst, scoring on a backhand just 15 seconds later after McAvoy forced a turnover behind the net.
Despite calling a timeout to regroup, Montreal struggled to contain the Bruins’ offensive pressure. McAvoy added another goal shorthanded 38 seconds into the second period.
Canadiens Show Grit, But Come Up Short
Though down by four, the Canadiens refused to fold. Cole Caufield provided a spark with his first goal of the game at 5:42, deflecting a shot from an impossible angle past Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman.
Montreal continued to fight throughout the period, but a combination of effective goaltending by Swayman and missed opportunities kept them from closing the gap. Bram Marchand narrowly missed the net on a shot try, while David Savard thwarted a Bruins two-on-one attack during a power play.
Coyle extended Boston’s lead to five just 21 seconds into the third period, scoring on the backhand after capitalizing on a Montreal turnover in the neutral zone. The Canadiens persevered, with Caufield scoring his second goal of the game at 6:38 to ignite hopes of a comeback.
Emil Heineman added another goal for Montreal at 2:28, putting pressure on the Bruins’ defense. Primeau made some timely saves, including one on a breakaway against Jonathan Brazeau, to keep his team in the game.
Too Many Mistakes Prove Costly
Despite their efforts, the Canadiens’ mistakes ultimately proved costly. A penalty against Lane Hutson gave the Bruins a chance to put the game away, and Cole Koepke sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with 2:14 remaining.
Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis acknowledged his team’s struggles:
“We committed too many actions that helped the other team and we dug ourselves a hole that is hard to overcome — and it’s even more true when you play a second game in as many days,” he said. “The guys kept working. I know there were other errors, but they were aggressive errors. The guys didn’t hide.”
Defensive miscues and turnovers hampered Montreal’s chances, a sentiment echoed by defenseman Kaiden Guhle:
“We felt like we deserved a better outcome yesterday (Saturday) and we were ready for this game,” Guhle said. “We started the match well, but these three quick goals sank us. It’s hard to overcome a three-goal deficit. We need to avoid these kinds of moments.”
Bruins Dominate the Rivalry
The Bruins victory marks their ninth straight win against the Canadiens in Boston, extending their dominance
What were some of the key factors that contributed to the Bruins’ explosive start in the first period?
## Interview: Bruins Dominate Canadiens
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is hockey analyst, [Guest Name], to break down the Bruins’ impressive 6-3 victory over the Canadiens in their centennial celebration game. [Guest Name], welcome.
**Guest:** Thanks for having me. It was certainly a special night for the Bruins and their fans.
**Host:** Absolutely. The Bruins came out firing, scoring three goals in just 70 seconds in the first period. What do you make of that explosive start?
**Guest:** It was truly electrifying. McAvoy was on fire, notching two goals, including one shorthanded. The Canadiens were clearly caught off guard. The Bruins’ speed and puck movement were just too much for them to handle initially. [[1](https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-bruins/2024/12/01/charlie-mcavoy-boston-bruins-legends-orr-bourque-montreal/)]
**Host:** We saw some great individual performances, particularly from Charlie McAvoy. How important is his presence to this Bruins team?
**Guest:** McAvoy is the heart and soul of this team. He’s a dynamic two-way defenseman who can control the game both offensively and defensively. His leadership and playmaking abilities are crucial to the Bruins’ success.
**Host:** The Canadiens did show some fight, despite the early deficit. Cole Caufield made it interesting with his goal.
**Guest:** You’ve got to give them credit. The Canadiens didn’t give up despite being down by four. They kept battling, and Caufield is a talented young player who’s always a threat.
**Host:** Ultimately, the Bruins were too strong on this night. What does this win say about the Bruins heading into the rest of the season?
**Guest:** This win shows that the Bruins are a force to be reckoned with. They are a well-rounded team with star power and depth. This centennial celebration may just be the spark they need to kick things into high gear for a strong playoff push.
