NHL: Boston 6, New Jersey 1

• Tweet

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Patrice Bergeron scored in each of the last two periods Wednesday to lead a Boston onslaught and bring the Bruins a 6-1 win over New Jersey.

The defending Stanley Cup champions moved within a point of the New York Rangers for the best record in the Eastern Conference with their eighth win in nine games. Boston bounced back from a 4-2 setback at the hands of Dallas on New Year's Eve.

Tim Thomas gave up the game's first goal to David Clarkson on the power play 4:24 into the contest but got the victory by making 28 saves.

Boston had the lead by the end of the first period on goals by Gregory Campbell and Nathan Horton.

Bergeron recorded the only score of the second and then opened a three-goal third by beating Martin Brodeur 2:13 into the stanza. Bergeron has nine goals for the season.

Brodeur gave up all six goals on 25 shots.