Instead, Lars Eller lit the lamp less for Montreal less than two minutes later, and the visitors cruised to a 4-2 win. Montreal outshot Boston 38-21 while beating the rival Bruins for the sixth straight time - a streak that dates to the end of the 2013-14 season.
A half dozen new Bruins debuted in the rivalry and one of them, Beleskey, got a quick christening. “I like the way that line played tonight”.
The Montreal Canadiens were in the lead just 85 seconds in and in command for almost all 60 minutes. The win gave the Canadiens a 2-0 record, while the Bruins dropped to 0-2.
“It’s different because maybe we’re so used to things going our way, and even if we aren’t playing well, we’re still getting the bounces and things like that”, said Krug.
Goaltender Carey Price made just 19 saves to improve to 2-0 this season and 22-8-3 lifetime in the regular season against Boston. Tuukka Rask has allowed eight goals on 68 shots faced. He is just 3-14-3 lifetime in the regular season against Montreal.
On Thursday 10/8 the Bruins hosted Winnipeg on opening night and lost 6-2.
Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand sustained a concussion Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens.
The Bruins have lost their past six games overall and past seven at home to the Canadiens.
“I felt they were losing too many battles”, Julien said, “and because of that, they’re not… having enough opportunities to create (offense).”
Matt Irwin was also placed on waivers after struggling the first two games of the season. Beleskey, signed during the offseason, has two points so far this year.
The play along the boards from Semin was a theme throughout the night, whether he was set up on the half-wall in the defensive zone to help the breakout, setup in the neutral zone to help the zone entry (as he was on the second goal), or forcing the opposing defence to make a play through the middle of the ice, which they declined to do and paid for on Eller’s second goal.
After a few uneventful shifts to start the game, Miller found himself retrieving the puck behind the Bruins net with Montreal forward Dale Weise bearing down on him in the first period. Marchand headed in the direction of the bench but was clearly dazed and was then helped down the runway to the dressing room.
After the game, center David Krejci was swollen under both eyes and stitches were visible. Ryan Spooner got ejected for hitting from behind.
As Boston’s come crashing back down to Earth, the Canadiens have been busy heading in the other direction, building around a killer core of Price, captain Max Pacioretty and defenseman P.K. Subban. Fellow defenseman Dennis Seidenberg, who played all 82 games last season, will miss an extended period as he recovers from back surgery. The teams will play in the January 1 Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium and wore “Classic” stocking caps in the pregame skate….
