In a high-stakes faceoff, Jeremy Swayman made a triumphant return to the ice, deflecting 21 shots in his first game after sealing a new contract. Mark Kastelic’s twin strikes on Thursday night helped the Boston Bruins stage a dramatic comeback after an early setback, overpowering the Montreal Canadiens with a 6-4 scoreline.

Key Contributions from Bruins’ Stars

Elias Lindholm and Cole Koepke made significant contributions for Boston, each scoring a goal and providing two assists. Despite a 6-4 loss against the Florida Panthers during their season opener on Tuesday, the Bruins bounced back, with Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak also adding to the goal tally and creating a comfortable 5-2 lead.

Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher made his presence felt with two goals, the second one coming in the final four minutes, stirring up a nail-biting finish. Kaiden Guhle also contributed with a goal and an assist, while Cayden Primeau deflected 23 shots for the Canadiens, who triumphed over Toronto with a 1-0 score the previous night.

Canadiens’ Fatigue and Bruins’ Resilience

Starting the season with back-to-back games seemed to take a toll on Montreal’s energy, as they struggled to keep pace with Boston. The Bruins, on the other hand, appeared more at ease with Swayman as their goalie, compared to their opener in Florida where they trailed 5-1 in the second period with Joonas Korpisalo in net. Swayman, who remained unsigned throughout the summer and sat out the entire training camp, returned to action after signing an eight-year, $66 million deal on Sunday.

Critical Moments and Stats

Montreal’s late resurgence in the third period, where they scored twice and reduced the deficit to 5-4 with Gallagher’s goal, was quickly countered by Kastelic who netted his second goal just 17 seconds later. The Bruins dominated the game statistically as well, outshooting Montreal 23-11 in the first two periods. However, the Canadiens held a 14-6 advantage in the third period.

What’s Next?

Montreal will return home to face off against Ottawa on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Bruins will host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, marking the middle of their three-game homestand.

James Thornton brings over a decade of sports journalism experience to 21Sports.com. Known for his razor-sharp analysis and passion for the game, James has covered everything from Super Bowls to the Olympics. His deep knowledge of football and ability to break down complex strategies make his articles a must-read for any sports fan. Off the field, James is an avid golfer who enjoys exploring new courses on the weekends.