WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Interstat) — David Pastrnak scored twice and added two assists as the Boston Bruins defeated the Winnipeg Jets 6-3 on Thursday night at Canada Life Centre. The Bruins seized control with three first-period goals, including one from Pastrnak, before a crowd of 13,158. Hampus Lindholm and Elias Lindholm also scored for Boston, which improved to 19-13. Joonas Korpisalo made 26 saves for the win. Morgan Barron and Gabriel Vilardi scored for the Jets, who fell to 14-16. Winnipeg was a pregame favorite but the Bruins’ early surge proved decisive. Pastrnak, the game’s top star, extended his point streak with a dominant performance.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Interstat) — David Pastrnak scored twice and added two assists, leading the Boston Bruins to a decisive 6-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on Thursday night. The Bruins, propelled by a three-goal first period, improved to 19-13 overall, while the Jets fell to 14-16 in front of an announced crowd of 13,158. Boston’s offensive outburst defied pregame projections, as statistical models heavily favored Winnipeg, giving the Jets a 59.4% probability to win with a projected score of 3-2. The combined nine total goals sailed over the pregame over/under line of 5.5. The game began with immediate fireworks as Boston’s Mark Kastelic and Winnipeg’s Luke Schenn dropped the gloves just three seconds after the opening faceoff. The Bruins channeled that physical energy into an early lead. Casey Mittelstadt opened the scoring at 10:28 of the first period, firing a wrist shot past Jets goaltender Eric Comrie for his seventh goal of the season. The lead doubled just 40 seconds later when Sean Kuraly converted a backhand chance, set up by Tanner Jeannot and Kastelic. Winnipeg responded at 13:37 as Alex Iafallo found the net for his fifth goal, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The Jets then drew even on a power play at 5:59 of the first. After Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy was whistled for tripping, Morgan Barron capitalized on a scramble in front, potting a backhand for his fourth goal. The tie was short-lived. With Gustav Nyquist in the box for tripping, Pastrnak restored Boston’s lead on the power play at 8:24, wiring a wrist shot for his 12th goal of the season, assisted by McAvoy and Morgan Geekie. Boston extended its advantage in the second period. Defenseman Hampus Lindholm hammered a slap shot past Comrie at 8:36, with Pastrnak and Geekie earning the helpers, making it 4-2. The Jets again pulled within one on a late second-period power play. With Boston’s Andrew Peeke serving an interference minor, Gabriel Vilardi snapped a wrist shot from the slot for his 14th goal at 14:46. Any momentum for the home team was snuffed out in the third period by the Bruins’ top line. Elias Lindholm provided crucial insurance at 2:43, finishing a feed from Pastrnak to make it 5-3. Pastrnak then sealed the victory with his second of the night and 13th of the season at 14:04, an unassisted wrist shot that closed the scoring. Pastrnak, named the game’s top star, finished with four points and a game-high seven shots on goal. He now has six points in his last two games following a two-assist performance against St. Louis on Tuesday. Lindholm was a force for Boston with a goal and an assist, while Geekie contributed two assists. On the blue line, Hampus Lindholm had a goal and an assist, and McAvoy added an assist and four shots. Joonas Korpisalo earned the win in net for Boston, stopping 26 of 29 shots. Comrie took the loss for Winnipeg, allowing six goals on 34 shots. Barron led the Jets with a goal, while Cole Koepke recorded an assist and a team-high five shots on goal. The game featured seven minor penalties and the early fighting majors. Boston’s penalty kill went 2-for-3, while Winnipeg’s was 1-for-2. The Bruins continue their road trip Sunday against the Minnesota Wild. The Jets, mired in a two-game skid, will look to rebound at home Saturday against the Washington Capitals.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Interstat) — The Boston Bruins, riding a wave of strong goaltending, visit the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night in a matchup of teams looking to solidify their standing near the .500 mark. The game at Canada Life Centre pits a Bruins squad (17-13-0) coming off a convincing 4-1 win over New Jersey against a Jets team (14-14-0) that was routed 6-2 in Edmonton its last time out. Boston’s recent success has been anchored by goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who is expected to start. Swayman stopped 29 of 30 shots in the win over the Devils and has been stellar for much of the past month, including a 41-save performance in a 3-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Nov. 26. His play will be critical against a Winnipeg offense seeking consistency. The Jets will counter with forward Cole Koepke, who has been a bright spot during a streaky stretch. Koepke has points in two of his last three games, including a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win over Buffalo on Dec. 5, and he scored Winnipeg’s lone goal in the loss to Edmonton. Boston has won two straight and three of its last four, showing improved form after a late-November skid. Beyond Swayman, forwards Morgan Geekie and Elias Lindholm contributed key points in the latest victory. Winnipeg’s results have been a rollercoaster, alternating wins and losses over their last six contests. They will need a more disciplined defensive effort after allowing six goals to the Oilers. This contest opens a three-game road trip for the Bruins, who visit Minnesota on Sunday. The Jets continue a five-game homestand, their longest of the season, before hosting Washington on Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time.