Bruins open season with shutout win over Rangers
Bruins Sweep Rangers 3–0 to Start Season, Extending Home‑Opener Streak to 11 Games
Boston, MA – In a decisive opening night for both teams, the Boston Bruins outscored the New York Rangers 3‑0 on Tuesday, securing a victory that marked the Bruins’ 11th consecutive win in a season opener at the TD Garden.
Fraser Minten, who recently signed a seven‑year contract extension, delivered the decisive blow. With just over four minutes left in the third period, Minten broke a 0‑0 tie by firing a shot from the left side that slipped past New York goaltender Igor Shesterkin. The goal was assisted by Elias and Hampus Lindholm. A few minutes later, the Bruins scored twice in rapid succession: junior forward JJ Peterka added a goal, and just 23 seconds afterward, Mark Kastelic sealed the game with an empty‑netter. Kastelic’s own goal came with assists from Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov.
Boston’s goaltender, Jeremy Swayman, made 24 saves, earning his 19th career shutout. Shesterkin, for the Rangers, stopped 20 shots.
The Rangers outshot the Bruins 24‑23, yet Boston’s aggressive play and timely scoring proved too much. A near‑miss from Pavel Zacha, who struck the left post late in the third period, kept the Rangers from cutting the lead.
The win continues a strong start for the Bruins, who are led in their first season by head coach Marco Sturm after a first‑round playoff exit at the hands of Buffalo. Tuesday also saw Boston’s veteran forward David Pastrnak don the captain’s patch for the first time in his career, becoming the 28th player in franchise history to do so.
Boston’s defenseman Charlie McAvoy is suspended for six games, having been suspended during the playoffs for slashing Sabres forward Zach Benson.
The Rangers, who finished last in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs for a second straight year, look to overhaul their roster in the offseason. Their next game will be at home against Tampa Bay on Thursday, while the Bruins head to Winnipeg on Friday.
