Boston Bruins center Trent Frederic (11) celebrates with center Craig Smith (12) and defenseman Mike Reilly (6) after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Bruins clinch playoff berth with 2-1 win vs. Penguins

By Adam Stites | Last updated Apr 16, 2022 3:25 PM ET

The Boston Bruins needed just one point Saturday to clinch a spot in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, and they got two with a 2-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Seven of the eight playoff berths in the Eastern Conference have now been locked down, and the Washington Capitals aren't far from securing the last. The Bruins are fourth in the Metropolitan Division, but 18 points clear of the New York Islanders in the wild-card race with less than two weeks left in the regular season.

Both of Boston's goals Saturday came in the opening minutes of first period, beginning with Trent Frederic scoring less than a minute after the puck dropped.

1️⃣1️⃣ started us off right pic.twitter.com/27AftqGhdp
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 16, 2022

Erik Haula doubled the lead about a minute later, and that was all the scoring necessary to hold off the Penguins. Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman saved 23 of the Penguins' 24 shots to secure the win.

The Bruins are headed to the playoffs for a sixth straight year, but made exits in the second round in each of the last two years. Prior to that, Boston lost in the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals.

Adam Stites

Adam Stites is a Southern California native who lives in a new state every three months. He’s perennially disappointed by both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona State Sun Devils. His dog is named Ramsey after the best cornerback in the NFL

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