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Brad Marchand strikes in overtime as Bruins recover to beat rival Maple Leafs
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Brad Marchand strikes in overtime as Bruins recover to beat rival Maple Leafs

Looking much more like their not-so-distant parents of the past two seasons, the Bruins bounced back Saturday night from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits and posted a 4-3 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs at TD Garden.

Brad Marchand scored the winning goal 2:26 into the three-on-three extra session, firing a backhander after putting heavy pressure on the net with David Pastrnak. The victory, buoyed by Jeremy Swayman’s 20 saves, ended a three-game losing streak and brought the Black and Gold back to .500 (4-4-1) for the first time in two weeks.

Pastrnak (power play), Justin Brazeau and Mark Kastelic also scored for the Bruins, who hope to turn the win into a real momentum win against the Flyers Tuesday night at Causeway Street.

Also outshot in each of the previous three games, the Bruins finished the night with a 34-23 advantage, their largest margin of the season. Center Charlie Coyle and defenseman Brandon Carlo were the only Bruins not to take a shot at Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz.

The Bruins were just 1:17 away from securing a 3-2 victory when Auston Matthews scored the equalizer. Crossing the low slot, the Leafs’ best sniper tipped Mitch Marner’s 50-foot shot/pass form just inside the blue line.

After scoring just three goals in their previous three games – all losses – the Bruins connected three times in the second period and led 3-2 going into the final period of regulation.

The Leafs were the first to break the net, breaking a scoreless tie just 35 seconds into the first intermission. Matthews dragged the puck in front of the net on a rush from the left half-wall and Matthew Knies collected a loose puck on his linemate’s attempt to take a 1-0 lead.

The Bruins were back with the equalizer just over two minutes later, with Pastrnak taking a one-timer for a power play shot from the point in the left circle. Marchand made the pass, darting diagonally through the slot after attacking from the right post.

Equipped with a little more courage this year, the Leafs took the advantage again, 2-1, the teams skating four each. Morgan Rielly slipped a step or two behind Marchand and took a one-timer on a precise pass from Matthews.

The Bruins finally took the lead for the first time when they connected on two shots – Brazeau and Kastelic – just 36 seconds apart.

The big Brazeau, who also held a spot on the second power play unit, tied it 2-2 at 12:38. It was the last of three close-range attempts, lifting his shot near the right post after attempts from Matt Poitras and Trent Frederic. Brazeau is tough to break down and has deceptive touches – things the Bruins often didn’t have in their bottom six last season.

Kastelic was all alone, parked near the right post, when Johnny Beecher sent a throw near the left corner at 13:14. Acquired in the trade that sent Linus Ullmark to Ottawa in June, Kastelic scored his third goal in Black and Gold. The 6-foot-4 center has never scored more than seven in a season.

The Bruins didn’t score in the first period, but their overall effort produced their best period of the season. If their shooting eye had been sharper – notably Frédéric, Poitras and Pavel Zacha – they could have left the period with a lead of two or three goals.

But overall, it looked a lot more like the Bruins teams that coach Jim Montgomery had led to 112 wins over the previous two regular seasons. And very different from the team that entered the night with a milquetoast score of 3-4-1.

The only rough stretch came midway through the period, starting with a Morgan Geekie interference penalty at 10:34. With 32 seconds left on this offense, the Bruins were down two men when Beecher was whistled for hooking.

In 2:32, thanks to the strength advantage, the Leafs put three pucks on net. A sharp Swayman, making his fourth straight start, handled everyone with ease.

Statistics can often be deceiving, but the Bruins finished the period with a 25-12 advantage in shot attempts. No fun math. The Bruins had a clear advantage in terms of territorial advantage and desire to shoot pucks. In the Toronto net, the 6-6 Stolarz made some great glove saves.


Kevin Paul Dupont can be contacted at [email protected].