BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins followed up one their worst efforts of the season with a solid one en route to a 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings Monday at TD Garden.
After losing to the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2 on Saturday, the Bruins responded and received contributions throughout Claude Julien's tweaked lineup to post a big win over the Red Wings.
The Bruins received goals from Reilly Smith, Gregory Campbell, Carl Soderberg, Seth Griffith and Chris Kelly (empty net) while goaltender Tuukka Rask finished with 28 saves.
The Bruins created pressure early and often, and it resulted in a 1-0 lead at 2:44 of the first period. Bruins defenseman Dougie Hamilton was battling for the puck in the corner of the offensive zone when he moved it back to Smith, who was covering the point. He pulled the puck off the wall and navigated along the blue line before shooting. The puck found its way through traffic and beat Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard.
While Boston controlled the tempo and play for the majority of the opening period, Detroit tied the game at 1-1 at 11:21. The Red Wings' Justin Abdelkader, in an all-out effort, was falling to the ice when he swiped at a deflected puck that was going wide and shoveled it past Rask.
The Bruins regained the lead at 16:12 of the period. Boston had a delayed penalty and created all sorts of havoc in front of Howard. After Bruins defenseman Torey Krug unleashed a point-blank one-timer that rang off the post, Campbell provided a dirty goal while camped out at the top of the crease to give Boston a 2-1 advantage.
Boston kept its pressure on and quickly added to its lead when Soderberg scored at 17:25. The Bruins created a strong forecheck that finished with Soderberg's seventh tally of the season for a 3-1 lead.
With 1:02 remaining in the opening period, it appeared the Red Wings had closed their deficit, but an apparent goal was disallowed after a review determined the puck was redirected in with a high stick.
Boston finished the first period with a 19-12 advantage in shots. Monday was the first time the Bruins scored three goals in a period since Oct. 21 against San Jose.
Detroit rediscovered its game in the second half of the second period and cut its deficit to one goal when Tomas Tatar scored a power-play goal at 15:10. It was the Red Wings' seventh power-play goal in the last four games. They had a chance to tie it later in the period with another man-advantage, but Boston's PK did its job and stifled Detroit's attack.
The Bruins capitalized on their first power play of the game when Griffith netted his sixth goal of the season. Krejci controlled the play and worked his way down low to the right of Howard. Griffith peeled off from the slot and created time and space, so when he received the pass from Krejci, his sniper shot beat Howard to the top right corner to give Boston a 4-2 lead at 5:11.
With 3:22 remaining in regulation, the Red Wings pulled Howard at the tail end of a power play and kept the extra attacker on after Boston's penalty expired. Kelly converted the empty-net goal at 17:34 to give the Bruins a 5-2 lead.
