Bruins Beat Kings 4-1, Sweep California Road Trip

LOS ANGELES –– David Pastrnak described it as a calm confidence.​

His team, once again, was behind while on the road. This time, it was during the second game of a back-to-back. But trailing the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena was no reason to worry for the Boston Bruins. They turned things around, putting up a 4-1 victory, extending their win streak to five games and sweeping the California portion of the road trip.

“We are comfortable playing in those tight games. Obviously we are a little bit more mature than last year, even though we have more younger guys, but they’ve been playing really well. They came up big for us many times. It’s just a certain calmness in the group,” Pastrnak said. “I think the calmness and the inside confidence, the healthy confidence – we know what to do.”

The Kings grabbed the 1-0 lead just 31 seconds into the first with a wrister from Alex Laferriere, but the Bruins settled as the period went on.

“They got one really early, but I feel like we’re really confident in our team game, and there’s plenty of time left,” Matt Poitras said. “Kind of sticking with that and getting rewarded with it. Feels good to get another win on this road trip.”

Pastrnak tied things up with his fourth goal of the season – and ninth point in five games. Pressure from Hampus Lindholm down low forced a Kings turnover. Pastrnak won the footrace to the loose puck in the neutral zone, zipped towards the opposing net and released a snapshot for the 1-1 equalizer at 2:43.

The captain was without his usual center on Saturday. Pavel Zacha sat out of the game with an upper-body injury. He is day-to-day, Sturm said. Fraser Minten moved up to the pivot position on the first line, while Poitras shifted to the second and Sean Kuraly slotted in on the fourth. It was Kuraly’s first game since Oct. 3; he was reunited with Tanner Jeannot and Mark Kastelic.

“I think you gain some perspective from being out. Obviously, it was kind of the first time in my career I have seen something like that. So always trying to learn and get better. That’s what I spent the last week or so doing – just trying to get better and prepare for this moment,” Kuraly said. “It was nice to be back out there with the guys. It feels a lot more comfortable, and just a fun situation to be part of.”

Jonathan Aspirot also entered the lineup for the first time since Oct. 3 and skated on the second pair with Will Borgen in place of Nikita Zadorov, who was scratched. Aspirot finished the night with three blocks and five hits through 17:58 of ice time.

“It’s not easy to be out that long. I thought he was outstanding today,” head coach Marco Sturm said. “He was blocking shots, he was aggressive, he was mean, he won a lot of battles. He was excellent.”

Marat Khusnutdinov earned a 2-1 advantage for the Bruins in the final frame. Poitras carried the puck into the zone and dropped it back to Morgan Geekie, who launched a shot on net. Khusnutdinov was stationed by the crease and knocked in the rebound at 13:36.

“Kind of just tried to drive through that strong-side D and give him a lane to shoot out,” Poitras said. “It was a pretty hard shot, and just go to the net and try to get a stick on it.”

It was Khusnutdinov’s second tally of the year, and extended both Poitras and Geekie’s point streaks to three games.​

“Just drive to the net. It was a good bounce. Good play by Geeks and Potsy,” Khusnutdinov said. “Keep playing Boston Bruins hockey. I know it’s back-to-back and it’s tough. Maybe better start in the first period. But we have a great group, talking to each other in the locker room and change the game.”

Elias Lindholm’s empty-netter – and third point in two games – followed by another from JJ Peterka at 19:42 secured the 4-1 victory. Jeremy Swayman was in net and made 25 saves.

​Sturm, who was with the Kings organization for seven years before landing back in Boston, picked up another win on his former home turf. The head coach has yet to lose against LA.​

“It feels great. A lot of good memories, though. The Kings organization gave me a chance to be who I am today, so I am very grateful. A lot of good people here,” Sturm said. “But it’s also nice to steal a few points.”

The Bruins are now off to Dallas, the fourth and final stop of their road trip. They will play the Stars at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday at American Airlines Center.