Bruins lose 4-1 to Flames as Kuzmenko scores in Calgary debut

BOSTON (AP) — Andrei Kuzmenko scored a goal in his Calgary debut, Nazem Kadri had three assists and the Flames beat the Boston Bruins 4-1 on Tuesday night.

Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal and two assists and Connor Zary also scored for the Flames, who held Boston to five shots in the second period and bounced back from the All-Star break for the Bruins.

Jacob Markstrom stopped 21 shots for Calgary. Boston native Noah Hanifin added the final goal for the Flames.

Pavel Zacha scored on a power play early in the third period as they opened a seven-game homestand with a consistent performance.

David Pastrnak assisted on Zacha's goal and Jeremy Swaeman finished with 25 saves for Boston.

Kuzmenko joined the Fire less than a week ago in exchange for Elias Lindholm from Vancouver. Kuzmenko's influence did not last long. He put the Flames up 1-0 with 4:01 to go with a wrister off a centering pass from Huberdeau. The goal came just 31 seconds after Brandon was called for holding Carlo Kadri, who also passed on the play.

Kadri added another assist nine minutes later, sending the Bruins into a turnover deep in their own zone before taking it the other way and making a quick pass to Zara, who beat Swaeman and hit him with a putback.

The Flames played the final 44 minutes on offense after second-string winger Martin Pospisil tied Boston captain Brad Marchand in front of Calgary's goal four minutes into the first period.

Marchand received a two-minute minor for slashing, while Pospisil received a five-minute major and a game violation for cross-checking.

Although Boston entered the second period with a full minute left on a key penalty on Pospisil, Calgary dominated the period and outscored Boston 9-5. Boston didn't have another power play opportunity until early in the third period, when Braydon Pachal went for a hook at 2:48 and Mackenzie Vigar received a double-minor a minute later for a hard hit on Marchand in the Flames zone. .

Boston made it 5-of-3 with 15:46 remaining when Pavel Zacha scored on a cross pass from Pastrnak to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Huberdeau, playing in his 799th career game, cut the lead back to two goals minutes later when he forced a turnover and fired a quick wrist shot past Swayman.

NEXT

Flames: Visit the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night for the second of four on the road.

Bruins: Host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

Loading…