Recap: Bruins blank Sharks, 3-0, to snap losing skid

The Bruins take a step forward in the win to getting back on track.

The Boston Bruins shut out the San Jose Sharks, 3-0, tonight at the TD Garden as the team regrouped with new lines to pick up the win.

It was a “get back on track” type of win for the team facing a struggling Sharks team.

The B’s played more of their style of hockey, despite a slow start — even though they controlled the pace of the game. But the Bruins got better as the game wore on, connecting on plays and finishing chances.

The second period saw the Bruins outshoot the Sharks, 18 to 6, and take a 2-0 lead by the period’s end.

Special teams rebounded, with the penalty kill stopping all attempts and the power play striking to keep things rolling in the Bruins’ favor.

The Bruins continued to press offensively and ultimately score on the power play in the third to tilt the game even more in their favor.

Here are the highlights!

First period:

Scoreless

Second period:

The Bruins opened the scoring at 1:39 of the second period.

Matt Poitras backhanded a pass to Danton Heinen for a quick shot past Mackenzie Blackwood. 1-0 Bruins.

The Bruins took a two-goal lead at 8:10 of the second period.

Pavel Zacha found Jake DeBrusk heading to the net where he put a shot through Blackwood’s five-hole. 2-0 Bruins.

Third period:

The Bruins extended their lead at 6:37 of the third period on the power play.

David Pastrnak fed a pass to Zacha crashing the net where he lifted a backhander over Blackwood. 3-0 Bruins.

Game notes

• The game had a little of everything tonight — from a shutout, to fights, to goals to most importantly, the Bruins getting back on track. The B’s did a complete 180 tonight, finding themselves in the driver’s seat by throwing shots on net and getting that two-goal lead which they’ve been on the wrong end for the last three games.
• Jim Montgomery switched up the lines tonight against the Sharks and the combos worked. Two of those new lines scored. Marchand, Poitras and Heinen worked as the top line, particularly with the chemistry Poitras and Heinen have built. You could tell they connected with each other more and more as the game progressed, getting comfortable as a line with Marchand. Montgomery also thought Zacha’s line had moments throughout the night, but wasn’t the best line. While it all worked for this game, Monty is unsure if things will stick on Saturday against Toronto or need to be adjusted for different match-ups.
• Heinen may just be the Bruins’ gem this season. He’s made plays all over the ice, especially out front. He shows a strong sense to read situations. Heinen has now registered a point in five of his last six games.
• Swayman responded after being pulled in his last game. He made the necessary saves at the right time, staving off 26 shots.
• He also came up huge as the Bruins found themselves on a 5-on-3 penalty kill to end the second and start the third. It was a huge momentum booster to kill off that one and not long after, the Bruins had their own power play and extended their lead.
• And of course, things got chippy out there. Trent Frederic’s offensive game has really taken shape this season, but he still remains one of the guys ready to come to bat and defend teammates with his physicality when needed like responding to Givani Smith’s boarding hit on Marchand. Frederic told reporters after the game that the team has other guys who also step up out there when an opponent delivers a questionable hit. He said you don’t want players taking hits like that on your captain.
• Zacha said they were happy to kill off the 5-on-3 because it meant guys were sticking up for each other.
• The Bruins will hit the road and face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.