Talking Points: Marchand Redeems Himself, Bruins Beat Habs 3-2 In OT

Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand scored his second goal of the game 34 seconds into overtime to give the Bruins a 3-2 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Monday night.

As Marchand admitted, he owes his teammate and Bruins defenseman Connor Clifton a nice dinner because Clifton bailed Marchand and the Bruins out by tying the game with 2:59 left in regulation to help force extra time. Earlier in the period, Marchand coughed the puck up on a powerplay zone entry, leading to a 2-on-0 for the Habs that forward Joel Armia finished off to give his team a 2-1 lead 1:13 into the final frame.

Marchand’s first goal put the Boston Bruins up 1-0 9:21 into the first period before Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard scored his first of the season to tie the game at one just 1:28 later.

Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman was solid again as he turned away 26 of 28 Canadiens shots in the win.

Canadiens goalie Jake Allen almost single-handedly stole the game for the Habs with a 43-save performance.

GOLD STAR: Brad Marchand – Marchand’s game-winner was a thing of beauty and the fact he lit the lamp twice to bring his season goal total to 27 was great too, but it was his resilience and non-stop energy that gets him the Gold Star award here. To keep pushing the way he did after that turnover early in the third period shows why he’s one of the best leaders in the NHL and a Hart Trophy candidate. Still, let’s take a look at this pure filth from Brad Marchand on the overtime winner.

We'll take as many looks as we can get at this one.@Bmarch63 | @JagermeisterUSA pic.twitter.com/KV3gesZ3g0

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 22, 2022

BLACK EYE: Marchand Turnover – This was just one of those brain cramps that Marchand hardly ever makes but it almost cost the Bruins two points against the worst team in the NHL.

Joel Armia picks off the pass, and then snipes one by Swayman to put the Habs up 2-1! pic.twitter.com/gdygU0xgGT

— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) March 22, 2022

TURNING POINT: Clifton Game-Tying Goal – The pesky defenseman doesn’t score often but he scored a goal-scorer’s goal late in the third period to send the game to overtime.

Connor Clifton gets the equalizer for the @NHLBruins LATE in the game 🐻 pic.twitter.com/R1jNNz7EcX

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 22, 2022

HONORABLE MENTION: Jake Allen – As mentioned above, Allen did all he could to propel his team to victory and was really the only reason the game got to overtime from a Canadiens standpoint.

Oh my, Jake Allen pic.twitter.com/78HugvxkF2

— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) March 22, 2022

BY THE NUMBERS: 855 – The number of days since November 26, 2019, the last time the Boston Bruins played the Canadiens in Montreal before Monday night.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “I love being back here. It’s Boston-Montreal; it’s the best rivalry in my estimation, in sports. I don’t care where the teams are in the standings, it’s always gonna be a game with lots of passion.” – Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy on him and the Bruins playing in Montreal for the first time since Nov. 26, 2019.