Final: Bruins 4, Blackhawks 2

The Boston Bruins defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 Monday night TD Garden. Rookie Anders Bjork continues to build chemistry on the line with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. After Boston's victory, let's just say that will be the team's top line to start the season.

Earlier in the day, general manager Don Sweeney announced that the team has placed defenseman Tommy Cross and forward Jordan Szwarz on waivers for the purpose of assignment to Providence.



Observations from the third period

• The Bruins will have a few different power-play units, especially once defenseman Torey Krug (facial fracture) returns to the lineup, but the grouping of Charlie McAvoy, Ryan Spooner, Marchand, Bergeron and David Pastrnak is highly entertaining to watch. The quick tape-to-tape passes and the ability to create havoc in front after a shot is impressive. They combined for Boston's fourth goal of the game.


• Attendance for the final preseason game at TD Garden was 16,374.


• Goalie Malcolm Subban received a standing ovation nearly midway through the third period when he made three spectacular saves during a Chicago flurry. He showcased his athleticism during the scramble and registered the best three saves of his Bruins career.


• Bjork does not shy away from the dirty areas.


• Spooner played a terrific game. He was active, physical and producing at both ends of the ice. However, he's played these types of games in the preseason in the past, so let's see if it continues and translates into the regular season.


• With Krug sidelined for at least another two and a half weeks, there's competition for that spot. Rob O'Gara and Jeremy Lauzon are in the mix. Lauzon played one of his better games of the preseason tonight.

• In the first period, Subban was a split second behind when tracking the puck. He was better in the second period until the Blackhawks' John Hayden beat Subban on the short side at 10:09 of the period.


• Forward Ryan Fitzgerald is getting an extended look in training camp and that's why he's in the lineup tonight. Given the fact that there are many younger players with similar skill sets, it's likely Fitzgerald will be sent to Providence to develop his pro game. He has been doing the proverbial little things and that includes drawing penalties.


• Rookie defenseman Charlie McAvoy is getting a lot of attention from the Blackhawks. He's been on the receiving end of a few hits and it's evident Chicago is keying on him. McAvoy mishandled the puck a couple of times and turned the puck over in the defensive end.

• Spooner needs to stand out. There's plenty of internal competition at the forward position and he needs to find a consistent game. Coach Bruce Cassidy said he's not concerned with Spooner throwing body checks, but his physical play created Boston's first goal. He was able to separate the puck from the Blackhawks' Tanner Kero with a hit along the boards that led to a turnover in the Bruins' favor. David Pastrnak finished the play with shortside goal on Corey Crawford. Spooner was physical engaged the entire period.


• Forget the fact that defenseman Jeremy Lauzon scored Boston's second goal, the fact that he played a solid first period stood out. He was engaged, physical and defended well in the opening period. On the PK, he was unable to clear the puck and turned it over in the defensive zone.


• Bjork has the potential to become a pure goal scorer in the NHL, especially playing with Bergeron and Marchand. Bergeron and Bjork connected on a beautiful play that finished with his second goal of the preseason. He's also handled the two-way game pretty well.


• Forward Noel Acciari registered two goals and three assists for five points in 29 games last season. He'll be a staple in the lineup this season and those numbers will increase dramatically. Check back with me at the end of the season to see if I was right.