New Jersey tied things 1-1 at the end of the first with a tally from Timo Meier at 18:39, but it was none other than Morgan Geekie who put Boston ahead in the middle frame.
Elias Lindholm collected the rebound of Nikita Zadorov’s initial shot and swung it over to Geekie on the left side to one-time in at 1:12, making it 2-1. It marked Geekie’s 22nd goal of the season, which is ranked second-most in the NHL, and eighth point in four games. It was also Lindholm’s fourth assist in two games.
“We’re just trying to feed off of each other. Obviously, we had chemistry at the end of last year – me, him and Dave,” Geekie said of Lindholm. “I think we’re getting back to figuring out where each other [are]…It is good to see a little more eye-to-eye on some plays and just be in the right spots for each other.”
The Bruins weathered the Devils’ strong push throughout the second and defended their advantage in the third period. Casey Mittelstadt gave the B’s some insurance with a shot off a pretty tic-tac-toe play from the second line with Pavel Zacha and Viktor Arvidsson at 16:25 to make it 3-1. Andrew Peeke’s empty-net goal at 17:46 brought the contest to its final 4-1 score.
“It’s depth,” Zadorov said. “I think every guy chipped in. There was a message in here that you don’t need to do extra, you’ve just got to be yourself, you’ve got to play your own hockey. We’re good enough to win games like that.”
Head coach Marco Sturm shared the sentiment.
“I am very proud of my team. I think it’s always a group effort to do that. I can have the greatest plan and system, whatever it is. But if you don’t buy in, it’s almost useless,” Sturm said. “For me, it’s a group effort. Not just the players, the whole coaching staff, [Sweeney], management. There’s a lot more to it. That’s what I am proud of.”
The Bruins now depart for a three-game road trip, which includes matchups against the St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild.