Patrice Bergeron scores late and Bruins beat Devils 3-1

Denis P. Gorman, The Associated Press

NEWARK, NJ — Patrice Bergeron broke the deadlock with 4:09 left in the third period as the Boston Bruins defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-1 on Wednesday.

Trent Frederic and Pavel Zacha, in an empty net, also scored for the Bruins, who lead the NHL with a 28-4-3 record. Linus Ullmark stopped 30 shots.

Nico Hischier was the Devils’ lone scorer. Vitek Vanecek made 24 saves.

Bergeron played the heroes by deflecting a shot from Hampus Lindholm behind Vanecek. Bergeron thus scored his 14th goal of the season.

Hischier tied the game 6:11 into the third period, taking advantage of a fine pass from Fabian Zetterlund.

Frederic had opened the scoring after 8:57 of play in the second period. Lindholm intercepted a Devils punt attempt, then Frederic moved the ropes with a throw from the crease.