BOSTON — Jake DeBrusk became a proven goal scorer and a capable NHL product during his seven seasons with the Bruins.
That’s what sparked interest from the Vancouver Canucks, who signed DeBrusk to a seven-year deal worth $38.5 million this offseason. The Canucks also inked another former Bruin in Danton Heinen as well.
The duo returned to Boston on Tuesday night to battle the Bruins in what turned out to be a defensive stalemate. The second period offered DeBrusk the chance to steal the show, which he did with a power-play goal off a deflection to put the Canucks on the board first.
“I thought it was high, but I wasn’t gonna not put it in,” DeBrusk said in the visiting locker room. “It was just a lucky bounce. I was saying this a little earlier, in years past here, I’ve gotten those disallowed. It’s funny how things work out sometimes.”
DeBrusk’s sixth goal of the season, all of which have come on the road, marked the difference and Vancouver’s Conor Garland netted an empty-net goal to secure a 2-0 win over the Bruins.
“It’s always nice to come back to the place you’ve been traded from or signed (from) as a free agent,” Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said. “He’s had a lot of good years. He loves Boston. He loves the fans. It was nice to see him score.”
Vancouver earned the win with just 14 shots on goal against Boston netminder Jeremy Swayman. The Bruins never found the back of the net despite sending 32 shots toward Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen.
“I thought (the Bruins) played the better game,” DeBrusk said. “They were shooting pucks from everywhere. I’ve watched and kept up to date a bit and talked to some guys. We held on. We got the two (points) and got the job done. … Once you get out there on that ice, it was pretty intense. Not gonna lie.”
Making a different turn down the halls brought up a smile from DeBrusk as he entered the building for the first time without heading straight to the Bruins’ locker room. He did confirm he had time to catch up with former teammates since the team arrived in Boston.
“Yeah, I’ve been lost here a couple times, especially when I was younger,” DeBrusk said with a laugh. “I know my lane now. You kind of look and peek over there. I saw some of the guys. We had a couple days here.”
DeBrusk made the most of an eventful and fan-appreciated return to down the Bruins.
“Obviously, I’ve had highs and lows and lots of different things,” DeBrusk said. “It was a pretty cool moment, but the whole day was kind of weird today.”
