How Tyler Bertuzzi fared in Bruins debut against Rangers after NHL trade deadline

Here’s how Tyler Bertuzzi fared on the Bruins’ debut against the Rangers originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON — It didn’t take long for Tyler Bertuzzi to get on the scoresheet in his Bruins debut on Saturday.

The newly acquired left wing picked up his first point as a Bruin when he raced to a puck behind the New York Rangers net and made a deft pass past Charlie Coyle, who beat goaltender Igor Shesterkin to give a 1-0 lead in Boston at age 18. :07 of the opening period.

Not only did Bertuzzi play well throughout the afternoon, but the Bruins beat the Rangers 3-1 at TD Garden to extend their winning streak to 10 games. Boston is atop the NHL standings with a 49-8-5 record.

Winners and losers of the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline

The Detroit Red Wings traded Bertuzzi to the Bruins on Thursday in exchange for a 2024 first-round pick (protected top-10) and a 2025 fourth-round pick. The 28-year-old forward is one of three players, along with Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway, who Boston acquired before Friday’s trade deadline.

Here’s a recap of Bertuzzi’s early days with the Bruins.

Statistics

Goals: 0

Aids: 1

Blows: 1

GIP: 2

ice time: 16:31

Bertuzzi scored a career-high 30 goals for the Red Wings last season, but he’s also a gifted playmaker, and his passing skills were on full display on Boston’s first goal on Saturday.

The veteran left winger found Coyle all alone in net for the Bruins’ best scoring chance of the game so far, and the veteran center seized the opportunity.

Bertuzzi was aggressive on the forecheck, he used his strength to maintain puck possession in the offensive zone and fought hard in net for loose pucks. It was the type of gritty, efficient performance Bruins fans can expect to see from Bertuzzi on a consistent basis.

Teammates and Opposition

Bertuzzi was in the starting lineup on the left wing of the fourth line alongside Tomas Nosek and Garnet Hathaway. However, he played the vast majority of his ice time at 5-on-5 (6:43 to be exact) on the left wing on the third line alongside Coyle and Trent Frederic. This is where Bertuzzi is likely to see the most action going forward with Taylor Hall – who is usually in the LW position on the third row – currently on long-term injured reserve (LTIR).

The story continues

The Bruins had a 5-3 lead in shot attempts, a 3-1 advantage in shots on goal, a 3-1 advantage in scoring chances and a 1-0 goal differential with Bertuzzi and the third line on the ice at 5 against. -5.

Bertuzzi also stood out late in the third period with David Krejci and David Pastrnak on the second line. This group, along with Charlie McAvoy, scored Boston’s fourth goal.

Bertuzzi and the B third line mostly played against the Rangers third line of Alexis Lafrenière, Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko. Bertuzzi-Coyle-Frederic held New York’s third line scoreless, though Lafrenière scored twice — once on the power play and another 5-on-5 against Bertuzzi, Krejci and Pastrnak.

(All opposition teammates and stats via Natural Stat Trick)

Special teams

Bertuzzi played 54 seconds on the Bruins’ first power play and 2:04 overall on the power play. He spent a lot of time in net, where Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery announced he was going to play. Montgomery noted that Bertuzzi has exceptional hand-eye coordination in net. Bertuzzi is a fighter in those tough areas of the ice and does a good job of scouting goaltenders.

Montgomery also said ahead of Saturday’s game that the Bruins will bring Bertuzzi into the penalty rotation at some point. Boston has the No. 1-ranked penalty kill and plenty of players who can make a big impact in that facet of the game. Bertuzzi joining that mix could help Montgomery cut some of Bergeron and Marchand’s ice time as the B are looking to keep their roster as fresh as possible for the playoffs.