BOSTON — The Bruins have found ways to win in their first two games of the season — including a back-and-forth overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.
If this was last year, it might have been a different outcome for Boston. The team often struggled in overtime in 2024-25, wining just seven games and losing 10 when it needed extra time.
With two huge overtime saves from Joonas Korpisalo, and the Bruins getting help from from their bottom six — Tanner Jeannot, Casey Mittelstadt and Fraser Minten all scored — the momentum is in Boston’s favor as it prepares for its third game in four nights.
“You want to get off to a good start,” Mittelstadt said after the game. “Some degree of carrying the momentum and some degree of pressing the reset button and getting ready to go next game, (and) trying to find the balance of that and finding the things that we’re doing well. But also cleaning up some other things.”
For Mittelstadt especially, getting his first goal of the season was a weight off his shoulders.
The forward was traded twice in 18 months, including from the Colorado Avalanche to the Bruins in March. It was a rough transition for Mittelstadt, who had six points in 18 games as the Bruins fell further from playoff contention.
While still very early in the season, Mittelstadt has been finding a groove playing on the second line with Pavel Zacha and Viktor Arvidsson.
“We’re getting used to playing with each other,” Mittelstadt said. “I think with the play style, I think it’s a really good fit. So it’s just a matter of getting the experience and figuring out where guys like to be. I thought (Thursday) was better than (Wednesday) night.”
The Bruins now prepare for the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night. Mittelstadt is hopeful for more improvement from his line.
“Hopefully Saturday will be better than (Thursday),” he said. “So definitely a step in the right direction.”
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