BOSTON — The Boston Bruins felt like they played a complete game. They were rewarded with something that’s been tough for them this season – a home victory.
Patrice Bergeron scored the first of Boston’s three second-period goals that lifted the Bruins to a 3-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.
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WHO: Sharks at Bruins
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TV: NESN
“It was kind of one of those things where we were playing not to lose,” Boston defenseman Torey Krug said of the team’s troubles at TD Garden. “I know it’s a cliche that you have to play to win. I thought we had a better mindset once we got the lead.”
David Krejci and Krug also scored for the Bruins, who posted just their second home win this season (2-5-1).
Boston’s Tuukka Rask made 22 saves. He had allowed 27 goals in his previous seven home games.
“I look good when the team looks good,” Rask said.
Once they built a 3-0 lead, the Bruins tightened up defensively, limiting the Red Wings’ odd-man breaks.
“I think tonight it was tough from the beginning, but I think we found a way to kind of stay in the game,” Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg said. “They got the goals, we didn’t, and we’ve just got to somehow create a little bit more chances five-on-five.”
The Bruins hope they can continue the effort with their next three games also at home.
“It’s huge,” Boston defenseman Kevan Miller said of playing well and earning the victory. “We have three more games at home before we head back on the road. I think it’s important that we build on this.”
Justin Abdelkader scored a third-period, power-play goal for Detroit, which has lost its last five meetings with the Bruins.
Petr Mrazek stopped 28 shots for Detroit, which was coming off a 3-2 loss at home against San Jose on Friday night.
Bergeron’s goal made it 1-0 at 7:18 of the second. He fired a wrist shot from the right wing, the puck popped over the right shoulder of Mrazek and into the crease. Bergeron hustled in and backhanded it into the net.
“I lost it in the air and then, you know, someone just put it in the net,” Mrazek said. “That shouldn’t go in and the game would be different.”
Krejci’s scored just under four minutes later when he shifted from the left circle to the middle of the ice and slipped a wrister past Mrazek.
Late in the second, Brad Marchand raced to a puck along the boards and knocked Zetterberg’s stick out of his hands before moving in on a two-on-one with Krug, who one-timed a shot into the net.
Trailing 3-1 with a power play in the closing four minutes, Detroit pulled the goaltender, but Rask made a solid stop on Riley Sheahan’s close bid.
NOTES: The Bruins honored the memory of the Paris terror victims and showed support for those affected by the attacks by playing the national anthem of France before the game. They also had the ice split into three colors by lights – red, white and blue – to match France’s flag. … Boston defensemen Dennis Seidenberg (700) Adam McQuaid (300) will both reach milestones with their next game played.
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