BOSTON — In a thrilling match on Saturday night, Brad Marchand notched his first goal of the season just 2:26 into overtime, leading the Boston Bruins to a 4-3 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs. This win allowed Boston to break a three-game losing streak.

During the game, David Pastrnak scored a goal during a power play, while Justin Brazeau and Mark Kastelic found the net 36 seconds apart in the second period, showcasing the Bruins’ offensive strength. This victory marked the Bruins’ eighth straight win in the regular season against the Maple Leafs.

The Maple Leafs fought back, with Auston Matthews redirecting a shot from Mitch Marner, leveling the score with just 1:17 remaining in regulation. Additionally, Matthew Knies and Morgan Rielly contributed goals for Toronto, which has now faced defeat in three consecutive games.

This matchup was particularly significant as it marked the first encounter between these two teams since Boston eliminated Toronto in Game 7 during the opening round of the playoffs in the previous spring.

Takeaways from the game reveal that the Maple Leafs’ defense exhibited lapses, allowing the Bruins to capitalize with quick scores in the second period. As a team that has struggled offensively early this season, avoiding easy scoring opportunities is crucial for them.

For the Bruins, head coach Jim Montgomery entered the contest with a losing record for the first time since taking the reins in Boston. In his inaugural season of 2022-23, the Bruins had a tremendous start, going 17-2-0, while they kicked off last year at 9-0-1.

A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Matthews mishandled a clearing pass, allowing Pastrnak and Marchand to surge toward the net, resulting in Marchand’s game-winning backhand shot.

In terms of statistics, it was notable that Marchand had not registered a goal in the first eight games of a season until this match, marking the first time since his second year in the NHL (2010-11) that he scored in the ninth game. Furthermore, he assisted on Pastrnak’s power-play goal during the second period, demonstrating his valuable contributions to the team.

Looking ahead, the Maple Leafs are scheduled to face the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, while the Bruins will host the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.