Brad Marchand strikes in overtime to put the Bruins over the Maple Leafs

A better version of themselves, as if they had jumped into a revved-up machine that wasn't quite as far behind as it had been the last two seasons, the Bruins rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to win on Saturday night a 4-0 win. 3 overtime losses to the Maple Leafs at TD Garden.

Brad Marchand, who didn't score in the first eight games of the season, scored the winning goal 2:26 into three-on-three overtime, scoring on a backhander at the front door after a shot with David Pastrnak into the net had. The win, helped by Jeremy Swayman's 20 saves, ended a three-game losing streak and moved the Black and Gold to .500 (4-4-1) for the first time in two weeks.

“Just details — I thought our details were really good tonight,” Marchand said, noting the change in attitude and approach. “Of course you won't always be perfect, which we weren't – but we were definitely better. And that's where you win and lose games in the details, especially against a team like (the Leafs) whose offense scores and has some big weapons. Details are even more important. So it was a good night.”

Pastrnak (power play), Justin Brazeau and Mark Kastelic also scored for the Bruins, who will be hoping to turn their win into Tuesday night's game against the Flyers on Causeway Street.

The Bruins had a 106-82 lead in each of their last three games (106-82 overall) and finished the night with a 34-23 lead, their largest margin of the season. Center Charlie Coyle and defenseman Brandon Carlo were the only Bruins who didn't get a shot on goaltender Anthony Stolarz.

The Bruins were 1:17 away from a 3-2 win when Auston Matthews (goal #4) scored the equalizer. Mitch Marner's 50-foot shot/pass, fired just inside the blue line, deflected the Leafs' leading scorer over the low slot. The Leafs' net was empty, as was the Bruins' down-low coverage.

“Sometimes you need a game like this, a rivalry,” said Pastrnak, who increased his total goals for the club to six (a pace of 55). “Toronto, nothing better, playing against a very good, quality team on Saturday night. You have to do your best or they will embarrass you out there. No apology today. Everyone had to do their best, and for the most part we were. We didn't finish the game in 60 minutes, but they have some talented players who end up making great plays and scoring a goal. But at the end of the day the result was deserved, for both sides, I think.”

After scoring just three goals in their last three games, the Bruins scored three goals in the second half and led 3-2 heading into the final period of regulation.

The three previous defeats and the lack of goals were not the main concern, said Pastrnak.

“I don't think we were worried about the result, but more about the way we want to play,” he added. “I think that was more our focus. We know why we didn't score was because we didn't spend enough time in the offensive zone. We want to get better at it, but it doesn't happen overnight. We have to take it day by day, step by step, and today is a great day.”

The Leafs were the first to get to the net, breaking the scoreless tie 35 seconds after the first intermission. Matthews sent the puck to the front of the net on a rush from the left center wall, and Matthew Knies picked up a loose puck after his linemate's attempt for a 1-0 lead.

A little over two minutes later, the Bruins tied it when Pastrnak wired his patented one-timer for a power play shot from the dot in the left circle. Marchand initiated the attack and shot diagonally over the goal after an attack from the right post.

The Leafs took the lead again, 2-1, with the teams playing four apiece. Morgan Rielly slipped a step or two behind Marchand and conceded a one-timer off a precise Matthews feed. Details: Lose your husband, pay the price.

But the Bruins took the lead for the first time that night when they scored twice just 36 seconds apart.

The physical Brazeau, who also had a place in the second power play unit, made it 2-2 after 12:38. It was the last of three attempts from close range, with his shot heading home from near the right post following attempts from Matt Poitras and Trent Frederic.

Kastelic was all alone, parked at the right post, when Johnny Beecher sent a backhand relay from near the left corner at 13:14. Acquired as part of the trade that sent Linus Ullmark to Ottawa in June, Kastelic scored his third goal in the Black and Gold. The 1.90 meter tall center has never scored more than seven goals in a season.

The Bruins didn't score in the opening period, but their overall performance gave them their best stretch of the season. Had their shooting been sharper – especially Frederic, Poitras and Pavel Zacha – they could have left the half with a two or three goal lead.

From start to finish, it was much more the team and result that coach Jim Montgomery knew the last two seasons when he compiled 112 regular-season wins.

“Right,” he said. “The speed at which we played in all three zones. Above all, our testing speed. But also how clever we were with the puck.”

Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at [email protected].