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Bruins snap losing streak with shootout win over Stars

*Photo from BVM Sports*
   This was a win they needed badly. Justin Brazeau scored, Jesper Boqvist had a goal and an assist, and the Boston Bruins defeated the Dallas Stars with a 4-3 shootout victory on Monday afternoon in Boston.

   Entering play on a 4 game losing streak, the Bruins got back into the win column and back on top of the Eastern Conference with a 33-12-11 record. They were led by Brazeau, who scored in his debut, Boqvist, and Charlie McAvoy, who had two assists and the winning goal in the shootout.

   Boston head coach Jim Montgomery said after the game that "Something has to happen to overcome, to get out of the malaise that we were in, results-wise. We got the great effort by our goaltender, and then our 6-on-5, our great players made great plays. It's the time where you need to tie the game."

   Boqvist scored 4:01 into the first period for the Bruins, making it 1-0 with McAvoy and Anthony Richard assisting. Wyatt Johnston answered back for the Stars to tie the game 1-1. Ryan Suter made it 2-1 Stars with his goal 1:04 into the second period before Brazeau scored his first NHL goal 28 seconds later, tying the game 2-2 with Boqvist and Trent Frederic getting assists.

   Esa Lindell scored 10:44 into the 3rd period for the Stars, giving them a 3-2 lead with the lone assist going to Jason Robertson. David Pastrnak tied the game 3-3 for the Bruins with 1:45 left in regulation, assisted by McAvoy and Brad Marchand. In the 9th round of the shootout, McAvoy scored the deciding goal for the Bruins.

   Getting the start in goal for the Bruins was Jeremy Swayman, who was able to improve his record to 17-6-7 in 30 starts. Swayman stopped a career high 43 shots of the 46 he faced, giving him a .935 save percentage in the win.

   In net for the Stars was Jake Oettinger, returning to the city where he played college hockey. Oettinger turned aside 27 out of the 30 shots on goal he was tested with, recording a .900 save percentage as his record fell to 20-9-4.

   Dallas head coach Pete Deboer said of the loss that "It's a tough, tough building to play in, even with a full lineup. I think we recognize that and we showed up, and we worked and played the right way. We did a good job."

   Up next, the Stars finish a back to back on Tuesday night as Scott Wedgewood starts in goal against the New York Rangers. Linus Ullmark is the Bruins projected starting goalie when they tangle with the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night.

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