BOSTON — After a 2022-23 NHL season that included 27 goals and 23 assists, Jake DeBrusk came into 2023-24 with his “silent swagger” ready to build on last year’s numbers for the Boston Bruins. But he couldn’t quite replicate last season offensively.
DeBrusk finished with 19 goals and 21 assists. But the 27-year-old turned up the intensity a notch Saturday night in Boston’s 5-1 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“I didn’t like my season. Pretty disappointed. But now we’re chasing the ultimate goal,” DeBrusk said the win. “This time of year is all about staying even keeled.”
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DeBrusk scored two power-play goals to help the Bruins to an early 1-0 series lead over their rival. He also picked up an assist with a nice pass from behind Toronto’s net to get Brandon Carlo the puck for a goal.
“I was excited, obviously. I don’t know if I blacked out, but first one’s always nice when hear the post then the crowd,” DeBrusk said of his goals. “I didn’t know if it was in, but obviously just the reaction, and the second was great play by (Brad Marchand). I think that, obviously, it gives you a boost, I think any goal in the playoffs gives you a boost, honestly. It’s just nice to be a part of.”
Several members of the Bruins had some extra pep in their game Saturday night, DeBrusk included. He chalked it up to everyone’s game reaching a higher level when the postseason rolls around because it’s not only a “different level of intensity,” it’s “a different level of battle and compete.”
“I think it gets harder as it goes along — obviously, that run in 2019. So you kind of take your experiences from that and try to apply them and stay even keel,” DeBrusk said. “There’s gonna be highs and lows, but it’s all about the next game, the next shift. Just gonna stay in the moment. I think that’s the biggest thing we talked about.”
The Bruins know the series isn’t close to over despite their success against the Maple Leafs in the regular season and their dominant win in Game 1. DeBrusk and the rest of the team look to carry that momentum over into Monday night as they try to “stay in the moment” for Game 2.
