Hellebuyck shines against former team.

[Boston Bruins]

BOS(AP) - Zach Hyman scored a goal and added an assist and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 31 of 33 shots as the Boston Bruins defeated the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 last night in Boston. It was the first time the two teams have met since the trade that brought Hellebuyck and forward Mark Scheifele to Boston with the Oilers getting in return Adrian Kempe and Roope Hintz. Kempe and Hintz did receive a warm welcome before the game from the fans in Boston but everyone was eager to see how Hellebuyck and Scheifele would perform against their former team. Scheifele for the most part was held in check by Edmonton but he was understandably a little nervous. He skated well as the game wore on but it was Connor Hellebuyck who seemed to out do himself.

The Oilers started out the gate quickly when Valeri Nichushkin opened the scoring at 6:50 of the opening frame. Edmonton wouldn't relent and sent wave upon wave of attack against the Bruins. Hellebuyck was resilient however and held the fort long enough for Zach Hyman to notch his 22nd goal of the year with assists going to Noah Hanifin and Josh Morrissey at 13:13. Shots at the end of the first period were 11-5 in favor of Edmonton.

Edmonton would continue with their high octane game in the second period and take advantage of a shell shocked Bruins team. Nichushkin again would find the scoresheet converting a slick Connor McDavid feed for his 24th of the season. The lead was short lived though as Mats Zuccarello would score his 3rd from Hyman and the recently acquired Roman Josi. Undaunted the Oilers kept the pressure on but Hellebuyck held his ground making sensational stops of McDavid and Kempe to keep the game even. Newcomer Alex Tuch would score his first as a Bruin to break the tie at 10:04 assisted by Parker Wotherspoon who also came over with Tuch in the Josi trade and Brandon Carlo.

It was the play of Hellebuyck however that was difference in this game. Especially in the 2nd period as the Bruins were outshot 15-8 and 26-13 after two periods. He was locked in and looked like the goalie who started the year on fire. It was no surprise that he was the game's first star like he has been for the Bruins this season. Hellebuyck was asked about facing his former team. "Yes you could say there was a little motivation tonight but the important thing was the victory and the two points. They came at us pretty hard but once we got our legs I knew we'd be ok. It was nice to see some old friends but once the puck dropped it was business as usual."... Bruins goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

Boston head coach Don Cherry hasn't stated who'll get the start tomorrow when the Bruins take on the Sabres in Buffalo but it maybe Alex Lyon who will get the nod as Boston will subsequently play the New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks before getting a well earned day off from this grueling six games in six nights stretch.