Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) and New Jersey Devils defenseman Andy Greene (6) participate with Bruins legends Milt Schmidt (15) and Bobby Orr in a ceremonial puck drop before an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) and New Jersey Devils defenseman Andy Greene (6) participate with Bruins legends Milt Schmidt (15) and Bobby Orr in a ceremonial puck drop before an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston — Patrice Bergeron scored the tiebreaking goal with 75 seconds left in his season debut to give the Boston Bruins a 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.

After missing the first three games with an unspecified injury, Bergeron returned to practice on Wednesday and took regular shifts in the home opener against New Jersey. He was on the ice when linemate Brad Marchand tied it 1-all with just under 10 minutes left in regulation, and he was there again to slide in the game-winner at the end.

Tuukka Rask had 28 saves for the Bruins, who fought off a power play for the last 50 seconds without allowing a shot.

Kyle Palmieri scored for the Devils, and Cory Schneider stopped 34 shots.

The game remained scoreless until Palmieri scored a power-play goal about four minutes into the third period. But Marchand tied it with just under 10 minutes left in regulation — his third goal and eighth point in four games this season.

Without Bergeron, the Bruins moved David Backes from right wing to center between Marchand and David Pastrnak. They combined for 16 points in the Bruins’ first three games.

The ceremonial first puck was dropped by 98-year-old former Bruins captain Milt Schmidt, with help from Bobby Orr. It was the 80th and 50th anniversaries, respectively, of their rookie seasons. They each went on to win the Stanley Cup twice, have their numbers retired in Boston and earn induction in the Hall of Fame.

Taylor Hall missed an open net early in the third after drawing a penalty that led to the Devils goal. Palmieri delivered early in the power play, shooting it under the bent knee of defender Brandon Carlo and through the legs of the screened goaltender.

Penguins 3, Sharks 2

Pittsburgh — Evgeni Malkin, Scott Wilson and Patric Hornqvist scored during a furious third-period rally to lead Pittsburgh over San Jose.

The Penguins trailed by two goals after two largely lifeless periods in a rematch of last June’s Stanley Cup Final before catching fire late.

Ducks 3, Flyers 2

Philadelphia — Ryan Garbutt’s goal broke a tie in the third period and sent the Ducks to their first win of the season. The Ducks opened 0-3-1 and had failed to score more than two goals in any of those games.

Canadiens 5, Coyotes 2

Montreal — Carey Price made 27 saves in his season debut to help Montreal beat Arizonat.

Wild 3, Maple Leafs 2

St. Paul, Minn. — Eric Staal scored twice and the Minnesota recovered from another deficit to beat Toronto.

Capitals 4, Panthers 2

Sunrise, Fla. — Alex Ovechkin scored the game-winning goal midway through the third period to lift Washington over Florida.

Avalanche 4, Lightning 0

Tampa, Fla. — Matt Duchene had two goals and an assist, Semyon Varlamov made 27 saves for his 21st career shutout and Colorado beat Tampa Bay.