Brian Gionta leaves good first impression in Boston debut

First impressions are all too important these days. But making a good first impression is exactly what Brian Gionta did Thursday night in the Bruins 8-4 beatdown of the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

“Again, as advertised, quick, still got good legs, great in front of the net,” head coach Bruce Cassidy said about Gionta. “That’s something Jay Pandolfo talked to me about today about the power play.”

After an underwhelming performance captaining Team USA at last month’s Winter Olympics, the news of Gionta signing with the Bruins came with many questions. But with Patrice Bergeron out of the lineup due to a foot injury, and Danton Heinen fighting through some growing pains,…