DeBrusk Scores in Return as B's Beat Islanders

BOSTON - Jake DeBrusk scored in his long-awaited return to the lineup, Trent Frederic potted two of his own, and Patrice Bergeron notched his 10th career 20-goal season as the Bruins cruised to a 6-2 victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday night at TD Garden.
"We just talked about getting a home win," said Nick Foligno, who had a two-point night of his own with a goal and assist. "The other night we didn't get one here coming back off the [All-Star] break, and it ticked us off. Something we talked about at the start of the year was being a hard team at home, being a hard place to play.
"We wanted to get back to that today, so I was really proud of the guys against a heavy team…we had to play well in order to [beat] this team, and they're a heavy, hard team, and we got the job done today."
Here's everything you need to know from Boston's win on Causeway:

DeBrusk Returns

After a couple of false alarms, DeBrusk was finally back in the lineup on Saturday evening and picked up right where he left off. The winger, who missed 17 games after suffering hand and lower-body injuries at the Winter Classic on Jan. 2, wasted no time getting back on the board when he potted a power-play tally just 2:19 into the contest to give Boston a 1-0 lead with his 17th goal of the season.
"Yeah, it was a really weird feeling, actually," said DeBrusk, who was back in his familiar net-front spot on the first power-play unit. "Before the game, I felt that I was obviously focused and determined, but I've been waiting for this day for a while…I just wanted to get a goal, just wanted to get the first one. It was a great play by [Brad Marchand]…even after the goal, it felt a little bit weird to be out there for different times, I guess.
"It's just one of those things where the game of hockey is at such a high pace and there's lots of different reads and things and it was a good feeling-out game, for sure, and it was a big one by our team."
DeBrusk's goal came from the doorstep after he corralled a brilliant feed from Marchand and made a nifty move to the net front before slipping a backhander through the five-hole of Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov. After Bergeron started the sequence by forcing a turnover along the wall, David Pastrnak picked up the secondary assist with a gorgeous backhand feed across the slot to Marchand for his 300th career helper.
"That's a big-time move, play he makes," coach Jim Montgomery said of DeBrusk's goal. "That's obviously Pastrnak and Marchy and Bergy. Bergy, everyone doesn't realize how much he keeps plays alive. If he's not where he is, that puck is cleared. Instead, he gets his [stick] on it, keeps it in the zone, and then Pasta and Marchy make electric passes and JD finishes off a great play. The poise in and around the net, he's high end."

DeBrusk later picked up an assist when his shot from the high slot caromed off the glass behind the Islanders goal, over the top of the net, and bounced into the crease where Bergeron was there to tap it home for a 4-1 Boston lead at 8:17 of the second.
"Probably just scoring goals," DeBrusk said of what he missed most after being out for roughly six weeks. "I think that's the biggest thing. But, no, just everything with it. It's one of those things where it's the camaraderie on the bench, it's the intense shifts where you're flying around out there and also just skating fast. It gets a little simple when everything gets taken away from you."
The Edmonton native was also back alongside Bergeron and Marchand as the first-line right wing, a spot he took over almost exactly a year ago and has thrived in ever since.
"It was great. He looked awesome," said Bergeron. "I think he missed close to 17 games. It's not easy when you come back after missing a long time. Kudos to him. He did the job off the ice and on the ice, I guess, to make sure he was ready, and he looked ready to go.
"Thought his legs were there. Obviously, getting that goal early, I'm sure, is helpful to get yourself back. It was nice to have him on our side.

Bergeron Hits Mark

Bergeron's tally was his 20th of the season, giving him the 14th such campaign of his career, which is good for the second-most in Bruins history behind Johnny Bucyk (16). It also marked the 10th consecutive season that Bergeron has notched at least 20 goals.
"It's nice. One of those things where I'm glad it went in, but that being said, you kind of move on to the next one," said Bergeron. "Playing with some great players. And, obviously, it's been a special year in a lot of ways. Just thankful to be a part of it."
Foligno, who for years watched Bergeron from afar, called the Boston captain "the model of consistency in this league."
"He gets it done offensively. He gets it done even more defensively. He's a guy that I've admired a long time, and all of us do," said Foligno. "Just the way he plays the game. He plays the game the right way. I think that's one of the best compliments you can give a player, and he does that.
"He scored a pretty one tonight to get his 20th. That was a sick goal today. But it's no surprise. He just does things the right way. He's a guy that cares a lot about his craft, too, and there's a reason why there's so many goals and so many years. I don't think he's slowing down any time soon."

Frederic Pots Two

Frederic, meanwhile, could be headed for the first 20-goal season of his career after a two-goal showing - his third multi-goal contest of the season - against the Islanders gave him 13 on the year. The 25-year-old notched his first of the day with 2:41 left in the first when he tipped home a Charlie McAvoy blast from the point to extend Boston's lead to 3-0. Then with 8:30 to go in the second, Frederic secured his second when he picked up a loose puck by the red line, surged into the offensive zone, opened up in the high slot, and ripped a wrister by Varlamov's glove to make it 5-1.
"I think a lot of it is confidence," said Frederic, whose previous high of eight goals came last season. "The tip is the tip and it can happen at any time. The other one is just shooting it instead of maybe looking to pass. [Matt Grzelcyk] did a good job of driving, kind of bringing that right D off, and I just got a good shot off."
Frederic was centering the fourth line between A.J. Greer and Foligno, the latter of whom has seen considerable growth in his linemate's game this season.
"I think he's just understanding what's giving him success in this league now," said Foligno. "You can see he's a guy that's moving his feet. He's going to areas that he knows he's gonna score in. He has the skill to score in a lot of different ways, but he's giving himself those looks that are in tight and around the net, the heavy plays.
"He's been a real threat every time he's been on the ice, so I give him some credit. He's found that consistency, which I think every player strives for, and this year, it seems to be he's found that recipe of what gives him success.
"A big part of that is moving his feet and being physical. He's already a reliable player in the way he positions himself. But he's understanding how effective he can be in the role that he has right now."