It was a breakthrough for the former Bruins winger, who signed a seven-year contract in July that paid him $5.5 million per season. The goals were the first in seven games for Vancouver’s top left wing.

“I think it’s more the way I structure my game,” he told reporters. “I knew I would break through.”

“I think he’s coming,” coach Rick Tocchet said. “I think there are certain things (like) getting used to the system and getting used to a few things (like) how we want to do things.”

All five of DeBrusk’s goals came in those eight road games, in which Vancouver outscored its opponents 29-17 despite an overall goal difference of minus-1 (61 goals, 62 allowed). The five-on-five numbers during that span were outstanding – 3.21 goals scored per 60 minutes, second in the NHL, and a league-best 1.47 goals allowed.

The latter should particularly give the league’s worst scoring team some respite. Boston has scored two goals just once in its last seven games and scored more than three goals just once in 13.

Here is the preview.

When: Tuesday, 7 p.m

Where: TD Garden, Boston

TV, radio: NESN, WBZ-FM 98.5

Line: Boston -125. O/U: 5.5.

CANUCKS

Season balance: 10-6-3. vs. spread: 9-10. Over/Under: 10-8, 1 push

Last 10 games: 6-4-0. vs. spread: 6-4. Over/Under: 6-3, 1 push

BRUINS

Season balance: 10-9-3. vs. distribution: 5-17. Over/Under: 9-12, 1 push

Last 10 games: 5-3-2. vs. distribution: 1-9. Over/Under: 2-7, 1 push

TEAM STATISTICS

Goals scored: Vancouver 61, Boston 51

Goals allowed: Vancouver 61, Boston 70

Power play: Vancouver 20.3%, Boston 12.8%

Penalty minutes: Vancouver 176, Boston 259

Penalty shootout: Vancouver 78.6%, Boston 77.9%

Faceoffs won: Vancouver 50.1%, Boston 51.7%

Statistics of the day: DeBrusk’s move from Boston to Vancouver, where he joined former teammate Danton Heinen, was counteracted by both Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm moving east after a few seasons with the Canucks.

Notes: Both Boston and Vancouver are playing their first games in back-to-back games, while it was three games in four nights. . . Captain Brad Marchand’s game-winning goal against the Red Wings was Boston’s first 5-on-5 goal in three games. . . Vancouver defenseman Quinn Hughes assisted on seven of the team’s 12 power play goals, his 19 points (4 goals, 15 assists) led the team and ranked fourth in the NHL. . . Vancouver center JT Miller will not play on Tuesday as he took an indefinite leave of absence last week. . . Brock Boeser (upper-body injury) has missed the last seven games but returned to practice Monday in his regular jersey and is expected to play. . . Former Nashville goaltender Kevin Lankinen has held it together for the Canucks while Thatcher Demko, a Boston College junior, is recovering from a knee injury in April to go 9-3-2, but Lankinen has his last Five starts, 19 goals allowed (.861 saves).