Bergeron breaks tie, NHL-leading Bruins beat Canadiens 4-2

© Provided by The Associated Press Boston Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron (37) celebrates with teammate Connor Clifton after scoring against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

MONTREAL (AP) — Patrice Bergeron broke a tie with 2:55 left and the NHL-leading Boston Bruins beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 on Tuesday night for their sixth straight victory.

Following a faceoff in the offensive zone, Bergeron hopped on a loose puck in the slot and beat Samuel Montembeault with a wrist shot.

“I grew up a Nordiques fan coming from Quebec City but I do understand and recognize the tradition, everything has been through, and all the legends that have been wearing that jersey,” Bergeron said.

“For me, it’s a lot of pride to play for the Bruins with that same kind of tradition and legends of the game and be a part of it. So, I always try to enjoy and make the most of it.”

Taylor Hall and David Krejci also scored for Boston in the first game of the season between the rivals. David Pastrnak had an empty-netter in the final minute and added three assists.

© Provided by The Associated Press Boston Bruins’ Pavel Zacha takes a shot on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

Jeremy Swayman made 19 saves to help the Bruins improve to 38-5-4.

Kirby Dach scored twice for Montreal, and Montembeault made 25 saves. The Canadiens dropped to 20-25-3.

“I’m proud of the guys tonight,” Montreal coach Martin St. Louis said. “We fought, we played a good game. They’re tough to play against but we were there, we were engaged. We didn’t get the result but you need to be careful with how you measure success.”

The Canadiens opened the scoring on a power play at 9:11 of the second period, with Dach beating Swayman with a wrister.

Boston scored on a power-play goal of its own with 5:48 left in the second. Montembeault saved a shot that deflected off of David Savard, but Hall pounced on the rebound to tie it.

© Provided by The Associated Press Montreal Canadiens’ Kirby Dach scores against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

The Bruins took the lead midway through the third when Kreijci deflected in Pavel Zacha’s shot. Dach tied it at 2 with 8:29 left, banging in his career-high 10th goal.

© Provided by The Associated Press Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman makes a save during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

UP NEXT

Bruins: At Tampa Bay on Thursday night.

Canadiens: Host Detroit on Thursday night.

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Boston Bruins’ Taylor Hall (71) slides in on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault as Canadiens’ Jordan Harris (54) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

© Provided by The Associated Press