Bruins Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk Reignites Boston University Connection, Scores 100th NHL Goal

The 34-year-old defenseman connected with two fellow former Boston University players to give the Bruins a 4-2 lead late in the second period of Boston’s 5-2 win against the New Jersey Devils.

BOSTON – It’s not often that three Boston University Terriers work together to score a goal at TD Garden prior to the Beanpot Tournament in February or the NCAA’s Hockey East Championship in March, but that’s exactly what happened on Saturday in the Boston Bruins 5-2 win against the New Jersey Devils.

Charlie Coyle sent a pass back to Matt Grzelcyk after winning the puck in an end-boards battle, and Grzelcyk sent it across the ice to Kevin Shattenkirk, who unleashed a wrister from the right face-off circle to make it 4-2 at 17:14 of the second period.

All three Bruins played college hockey at Boston University to create a rare ‘T. Anthony Trio Tally,’ referencing the campus pizza joint popular with BU students and athletes. It was the first time three former BU Terriers combined for a Bruins goal since Jan. 18, 2023, according to @BUHockeyStats on X, when Coyle and Grzelcyk assisted Charlie McAvoy.

“That’s Terrier Magic,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said, specifically referencing Shattenkirk’s connection with Grzelcyk as a defensive partner.

Grzelcyk made his return from a three-game absence due to an upper-body injury, and skated alongside Shattenkirk for the first time. Grzelcyk’s assist marked just his second point of the season through 21 games, breaking a 13-game pointless streak.

“I think playing with ‘Grizz’ tonight in general, I think he did a great job coming back into the lineup, fitting in seamlessly, and with not having any sort of chemistry and playing together this year, it was nice. I thought we played really well together,” Shattenkirk said.

The goal was also a career milestone for Shattenkirk, who scored his 100th NHL goal on the play. He also scored his 101st in the third period to complete the two-goal night and ice out the game. Shattenkirk became the second defenseman from the 2007 Draft class to reach 100 goals, joining P.K. Subban (115), according to NHL Stats.

“I don’t think I was going into every game expecting to hit. I’m not [Pastrnak],” Shattenkirk said. “If I don’t have a goal in a game, I’m not like, ‘Damn, I didn’t get my 100th goal tonight,’ but you know it’s gonna come eventually, and just stuck with it. And once it happens, it’s a great milestone, something I’m proud of.”