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SALT LAKE CITY — Four days ago, the Boston Bruins scored just one goal in a 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Less than a week later, one goal was all they needed.
Joonas Korpisalo made 21 saves as the Bruins handed the Utah Hockey Club a third consecutive loss, a 1-0 result, at TD Garden in Boston.
Boston (9-9-3) got all the scoring it would need at the 12:41 mark of the second period, when Elias Lindholm converted a power-play chance in front of goal with his wrist shot between the pipes to put the Bruins up 1-0.
"That's one of the best defensive teams in the league," Utah head coach André Tourigny said after the game. "It's not like it was going to be a piece of cake, and we could run them over.
"That said, I didn't like the urgency and the speed around the puck," he added, before noting the third period. "The guys realized we needed to get there with urgency and passion."
Lindy breaks the ice 👌 pic.twitter.com/augT90ULT5
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 22, 2024
Boston out-shot Utah 31-21, though that isn't to say the Hockey Club had its chances. The first-year franchise went 0-for-4 on power-play opportunities and gave up seven chances on the other end (Boston, of course, converted just one).
Maveric Lamoureux tipped one off the crossbar midway through the third period, and Clayton Keller sent one just wide of the post a few moments later for Utah (7-9-3).
But penalties killed the visitors, who blocked 20 shots but totaled 24 penalty minutes to the Bruins' 18 in a matchup of the top two teams in the NHL in penalty minutes.
"I think we took way too many penalties," said Utah forward Nick Schmaltz, who took two of the club's 14 shots from the forward line. "That's kind of been the story for a lot of the year."
David Pastrnak appeared to double the advantage with a wrist shot inside the final minute to help the Bruins keep a three-game losing skid from stretching to four, but the goal was called back for high-sticking the puck above the normal height of his shoulders.
Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka stopped 30-of-31 shots on goal.
"We've played some good teams lately," Schmaltz said. "They had a lot to prove tonight, a lot going on over there. We knew they were going to be ready.
That said ...
"We should have been better offensively," Tourigny said. "We're a fast team, and if we don't create speed around the puck and around their defenseman, it's easy to shut down. You could see it in the third period."
It was the 700th career NHL game for Olli Määttä, Utah's 30-year-old Finnish defenseman who joined the club's depleted blueline at the start of Utah's inaugural season via trade from Detroit.
"I think at some point, it definitely the milestones reflect what you've been through in years in this league," the 22nd overall selection in the 2012 NHL draft said earlier Thursday. "I've had a lot of great teammates, coaches, team staff over my years that have helped me quite a bit. I've always liked to look and see what other guys are doing ... on the ice and office the ice. I want to l learn all the time, and I've been fortunate to play with some of the best players in the world. To see them day-to-day, there's a lot to take away from them."
Utah's road trip continues Saturday at Pittsburgh. Faceoff against the Penguins is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST.
