DeBrusk Notches Two As B's Edge Columbus in OT

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Bruce Cassidy was no doubt pleased by Jake DeBrusk's two-goal showing on Monday night against the Blue Jackets. But it was something else that the winger did that caught his coach's eye the most.
After Brad Marchand took a shot after the whistle during a scrum in the second period, DeBrusk stepped in to let Blue Jackets blue liner Andrew Peeke know that such jabs would not go unanswered.
Once DeBrusk got involved, the scuffle grew larger - with Marchand and Peeke eventually heading off with matching minors for roughing - and more pleasantries were exchanged. But it was DeBrusk's actions that stood out above the rest.

"It was great to see him stick up for his teammate…that goes a long way, more than a goal will," said Cassidy. "Trust me, we want the overtime goal, don't get me wrong. But in terms of what you're doing for your team and your team building aspect, coming in and sticking up for your teammate, guys don't forget that. They don't forget that.
"When it's your turn, it's your turn. And he's on that line. If someone goes after March or [Patrice Bergeron], whatever the case may be, he's got to get in there and be a part of it. And he did, credit to him."
And while his efforts to defend his teammate will certainly be remembered, DeBrusk's biggest impact came on the scoresheet, as he potted two tallies, including the winner at 1:03 of overtime, to lift Boston to a 3-2 victory over the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in the opener of a four-game road trip. The 25-year-old now has goals in five straight games, tying the longest such streak of his career, with eight points (six goals, two assists) during that stretch.
"That's a point of emphasis to have production especially with the situation I'm in right now," said DeBrusk, who hit the 20-goal mark for the second time in his career and first time since his high of 27 set in 2018-19.
"It's nice to bury some opportunities. Got kind of lucky in this stretch. You need some lucky bounces to go your way. But anytime you can help contribute and help the team win, especially around this time of year - it's the playoff push - it's always really nice. It's something that gives you confidence."

On the winner, DeBrusk was on the ice with Charlie Coyle and Hampus Lindholm, the latter of whom put together an immense shift in his first overtime action with the Black & Gold. After firing a shot on goal, he circled back high in the Columbus zone and was there to pick up a loose puck following a Blue Jackets turnover just inside the blue line.
From there, Lindholm took a few strides in toward the slot and dished over to DeBrusk, who briefly lost the handle on the puck before burying one over the blocker of Columbus backstop Elvis Merzlikins.
"That was a great play by Lindy in overtime. It's a step up there. I just had to beat the goalie and was lucky enough to get it," said DeBrusk. "I think it's been kind of trending that way as well. I think there was a stretch where I didn't have much production but thought my game was kind of trending that way toward the end of that stretch."
Following DeBrusk's first goal of the night - his 20th of the season - he knew that there might be an uptick in intensity that his line would have to answer later in the game. The crispiness began back in the Bruins' zone with Marchand delivering a heavy hit on Peeke along the boards. The Columbus defenseman fell to the ice and remained there for several seconds, while Charlie McAvoy corralled the loose puck in the corner and started the Bruins' charge the other way.
McAvoy then delivered a pinpoint feed through the neutral zone to DeBrusk, who was waiting all alone at the Columbus blue line. DeBrusk broke in on Blue Jackets Merzlikins and finished off a shot that trickled under the goalie's right arm to tie the game, 1-1, with 1:28 left in the first period.
"I heard the hit. And I obviously saw where the puck went. Charlie had it and he was kind of turning. To be honest with you, I was at the blue line at that point, so I was thinking breakaway. I even put my stick in the air," said DeBrusk.
"After I scored, he was still in the corner; you never like seeing that from anybody. He came back in the game and that was good to see but it was like time was still. I didn't know if there would be a whistle or something would happen, but you play on. I was happy to bury that. I've had three breakaways on this guy and hadn't scored one."

The Blue Jackets were not happy with the hit or the officials for not blowing the whistle while Peeke was down on the ice. As such, the temperature of the game elevated following the play, creating a playoff-type atmosphere on the ice and in the stands.
"That was a hard play, got the energy in the building up," said Cassidy. "They're mad, our guys are awake. We weren't there at the start. We were kind of off. And so, it got everybody going. It made it a better hockey game."
DeBrusk said that during the intermission Boston spoke about the need to respond to any physicality or targeting of the B's top players as the game progressed.
"It kind of reminds you of playoff intensity," said DeBrusk. "It's one of those things where give them credit - they're a proud team over there, they have some guys that would react the same way that we would. We have good leadership as well, so we understood coming into the second period that they might come at some of our guys and we'll stand up for each other, especially our top players…those are fun games to play in and I think it brings you closer as a team."
Following a shaky start to the road trip opener, Cassidy complimented how the Bruins answered - on the scoreboard and for each other - en route to their 17th win in 21 games.
"Well, when you win that often, you obviously have the ability to find ways to win, the ability to get out of funks quickly," said Cassidy. "We certainly weren't sharp tonight, particularly the power play [0 for 5]…we played our way through it, got important penalty kills [5 for 5] when we needed them, important saves when you need them.
"We get back to our game fairly quickly. We've got 18 skaters that are contributing. We're not relying on just one line. You can let them simmer a bit and let the other guys get us back, get our traction back."

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