DeBrusk Powers Bruins to Winter Classic Victory

BOSTON - Jim Montgomery has only coached Jake DeBrusk for about four months.
During that albeit short period of time, Boston's bench boss acknowledged that he has learned a great deal about his top-line right winger - some things, he noted, that those on the outside might not realize.
"He's a lot tougher than people think and he's more committed than people are aware and because of those things, his game is going," said Montgomery. "He's matured and you can see it…I mean, he's on pace to get 30 goals - over 30 goals - and it doesn't matter where I use him, he seems to spark the people he plays with."
On Monday afternoon, that final remark was a bit of an understatement.

Yes, DeBrusk sparked his linemates, but he also ignited an entire ballpark - and, quite frankly, an entire city when he potted two goals in the third period to power the Bruins to a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Fenway Park during the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic.
"It's a whirlwind, to say the least," said DeBrusk. "It's obviously something that's special for this entire group and myself. This is Fenway Park and a Winter Classic. It's something you dream of doing. Obviously, you dream of scoring in a Winter Classic. I've played in three [outdoor games]…
"We're just lucky enough to get some good bounces tonight. Linus [Ullmark] kept us in it. We had some good kills at the right times. Just really feel blessed, honestly, to be in this position."
After the first two periods turned out to be a bit of a slog for the Bruins as they struggled to find much cohesion offensively, DeBrusk pulled Boston back into it during the final frame when he knotted things at 1 with 12:14 remaining. With a power-play expiring, Brad Marchand made a nifty move at the top of the right-wing circle and dished to DeBrusk, who had popped out from the net front to the goal line left of Pittsburgh goalie Casey DeSmith.
DeBrusk collected the feed and then took a hard step to the crease, reaching one around DeSmith and tucking it home five-hole to tie things up, all while he tumbled down to the ice as he was cross-checked through the chaos at the net-front.
"That's the nature of the business in front of the net," said DeBrusk. "Sometimes you get yourself into positions where you don't know where the puck's coming…it's a game of inches…I remember being on the ground and seeing it in, but definitely was lucky on that one and happy to contribute."

DeBrusk was back at it in the closing minutes when he secured the eventual winner with 2:24 left. Hampus Lindholm started things when he lugged the puck from the Boston goal line through the neutral zone before finding David Krejci around the red line. Krejci then dished to Taylor Hall, who made a hard move to the crease creating a rebound that DeBrusk whacked home for a 2-1 advantage.
"It was a great moment," said Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron. "He had some great looks all game. He rang one off the post in the first. He actually had a couple good looks before that. He was in the right areas. We talk about getting to the inside which we didn't do enough in the first two, and he got rewarded. Kudos to him for doing the right things."
DeBrusk has been doing things right for quite some time now as he's built on a strong second half from last season to compile 16 goals and 30 points through 36 games during this 2022-23 campaign, his sixth with the Black & Gold. The Edmonton native is thus on pace to cruise past his career highs in both categories (27 goals in 2018-19 and 43 points in 2017-18).
"It's been great. It's been special," Bergeron said of DeBrusk's growth. "He's a great guy that wants to get better. It's been rocky at times for a few years before that, but he's stuck with it and showed some character. We all believe in him. And he took it upon himself to work on things and areas that he had to work on and he keeps getting better and doing that. Happy to have him on our side."
DeBrusk was not on Bergeron's right for the winning goal, however, as Montgomery had flipped the winger with David Pastrnak earlier in the contest to try to jumpstart the Bruins' sluggish offensive attack. It was a move that DeBrusk understood completely.
"Obviously, they've played together for, probably, since I've ever been here," DeBrusk said of Marchand, Bergeron, and Pastrnak. "They've been unbelievable together. It's a line that is already dangerous but putting Pasta on there obviously brings a different element, brings a different look for our whole lineup, and I think playing with Krejci before, I think always helps with that transition.
"But at the same time, I think that I've learned a lot over the last, probably, year and a half or two years, and how to find out what works for my game no matter who I'm playing with and what role I'm in.
"Honestly just want to help in any way I can, and that's just kind of what everyone in our lineup has. Whoever I get to play with, I want to be able to contribute and try to get the lead back and just go from there."

It was that kind of attitude that was permeating throughout the Bruins' dressing room entering the third period after a speech from Nick Foligno had the group refocused ahead of the final 20 minutes.
"He just kind of got everyone in and just talked about our team, talked about our team throughout the year, what we've been able to do, and obviously how we've been able to do it," said DeBrusk. "This is an event…this is a dream come true, and we don't want to waste it. We don't want to come after a game like tonight and think that we could have done more or that we should have done something.
"It's very rare that you get another chance to do it. I think it was more so along the message of just, we know what we can do it together as a group. We're the best third-period team and the league, and let's go prove it."
That the Bruins did, and it was DeBrusk who carried them to a win that they won't soon forget.
"It's very special. I feel very blessed to be a part of those goals," said DeBrusk. "I'm speechless about it. This is probably the highlight of my life so far, hockey and everything. How could it not be? I mean, look around. It's Fenway Park with yellow everywhere, and it was a good game and we won.
"Just lucky to be with this group of guys. Family's here. I don't even know how you can take it in. You just smile and enjoy it."