DeBrusk scores twice, Bruins stay undefeated with win against Panthers

BOSTON --The Boston Bruins remained undefeated with their season-opening third straight win, 5-3 against the Florida Panthers at TD Garden on Monday.

Jake DeBrusk had two goals and an assist on his 26th birthday, and Patrice Bergeron had a goal and an assist for the Bruins (3-0-0). Linus Ullmark made 37 saves.
DeBrusk returned to the lineup after he sustained an upper-body injury in the third period of Boston's 5-2 win at the Washington Capitals in its season opener Oct. 12.
"I was thinking possibly [Tuesday at the Ottawa Senators], and then I got asked, 'Why not tonight?' and I was like, 'Yeah, why not tonight?'" DeBrusk said. "I always got the green light, so that's why I was here. I surprised pretty much all the boys."

The Bruins have outscored opponents 16-8 through their first three games despite injuries to key players, including forward
Brad Marchand
(hip) and defenseman
Charlie McAvoy
(shoulder).
"We're lucky here, like we have some high-end hockey players," coach Jim Montgomery said. "You score goals like they did tonight, those are difference-makers, and that's what allows you to win games when you don't have your best game. Those difference-makers make things happen."
Sam Bennett, Colin White and Gustav Forsling each had a goal and an assist for the Panthers (2-1-0), who lost defenseman Aaron Ekblad to a lower-body injury in the second period. Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 saves.
"It wasn't a smooth night by any means; it was a hard-fought game," Florida coach Paul Maurice said. "If you're going to go down in the game, you should go down swinging, and I think we did that. So, I was really, really impressed with them."
DeBrusk gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead 21 seconds into the first period when he finished a 2-on-1 with Taylor Hall with a wrister from the right face-off circle.
Bennett tied it 1-1 at 4:32 of the second on a tap-in after a pass from Matthew Tkachuk.
Bergeron put Boston back in front 2-1 at 12:35. DeBrusk beat two defensemen to the puck and sent a backhand cross-ice feed to Bergeron at the far post.

Ekblad left the game after Bergeron's goal.
"We'll get him looked at [Tuesday]," Maurice said.
David Pastrnak made it 3-1 at 7:01 of the third period when he deked between Marc Staal's legs and beat Bobrovsky five-hole.
"It's a marathon," Bobrovsky said. "It's [an] all new system, but I thought again, the character of this team, it's been proven over the years."

Trent Frederic made it 4-1 at 12:31, but Forsling scored 27 seconds later from long range to cut it to 4-2 at 12:58.
White stuffed in a rebound at the crease at 18:23 to make it 4-3, but DeBrusk scored an empty-net goal at 18:57 for the 5-3 final.
"I was shocked at how smart a player he [DeBrusk] is, and his ability to make plays," Montgomery said. I knew he could score goals, I knew he could skate. I didn't know he could make as many plays as he does, and I think his all-around game is continuing to develop."
The Panthers will host the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday after opening the season with a three-game road trip.
"Anytime time you go over 50 percent [in points percentage] on the road, it's nice," White said. "It's going to be nice to get back home now and play three games there.
NOTES: Brandon Montour (upper body) was a late scratch, which left the Panthers with four defensemen following Ekblad's injury. Maurice said he does not believe Montour will be out long term. … Bergeron scored his 402nd goal, tying Rick Middleton for third in Bruins history. Only Phil Esposito (459) and Johnny Bucyk (545) have more.