Final: Bruins 6, Coyotes 2

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Boston Bruins erased a two-game losing skid with a solid 6-2 win over Arizona Coyotes Saturday night at Gila River Arena.

Anton Khudobin, who played well in a third period relief appearance during Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, made his first start tonight and gave the Bruins exactly what they needed from the backup role (more on him below).

Patrice Bergeron remains sidelined with a lower-body injury. He skated again on his own this morning and remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Golden Knights in Las Vegas.



Observations after the third period

Khudobin was solid in his first start of the season. He finished with 29 saves and was tracking the puck well. I've said it time and again, the Bruins need serious production from him this season in the team wants to have success. He said he's put last season's dismal performance behind him and so far it appears he's up to the task. I liked his aggressiveness in this game. When he's on his game, Khudobin resembles Tim Thomas with his fish-out-of water saves.

Tim Schaller played well the entire game. He was around the puck, strong on the forecheck and was sound defensively. The line of Schaller, Sean Kuraly and Danton Heinen saw plenty of ice because they were effective, and it helped that the Bruins had a three-goal lead to start the third period. That line's forecheck was solid and it resulted in Schaller's second of the season to give Boston a 5-2 lead late in the third period. He worked hard for that goal and deserved it with his performance.

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/919406882107904000

Rookie Anders Bjork scored his first NHL goal, a power-play tally, to give the Bruins a 6-2 lead in the waning minutes of regulation. His confidence should blossom from here now that he's got the first one.

https://twitter.com/BruinsDiehards/status/919407225592041472

Observations after second period

Jake DeBrusk did exactly what he needs to do in order to score and his effort helped give the Bruins a 2-1 lead. On the power play, the Bruins controlled the puck when David Krejci unloaded a one-timer from the left circle. DeBrusk was camped in front and redirected the puck with amazing hand-eye coordination.

https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/919395191999447040

https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/919387164718260224

During Friday's practice, the Bruins' defensive core worked on crashing the offensive net. Zdeno Chara was leading the way and it turned out to be crucial as he netted his first of the season to give Boston a 3-1 lead. After a failed 2-on-1, the puck was loose when Chara crashed and drove the puck in at 5:03.

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/919386485522096128

Brad Marchand, who turned the puck over a few times in the defensive end during the first period, scored a nifty goal in the second to give Boston a 4-1 lead. It was his third goal of the season. He needs to produce with Bergeron out of the lineup.

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/919392197543366656

Observations after first period

After the Coyotes scored the game's first goal at 15:31 of the opening period, the Bruins quickly responded to tie the game at 16:07. Boston produced solid puck movement before Chara let a one-timer fly from he right faceoff circle. David Pastrnak was camped in front and redirected the puck in when he jumped to avoid Chara's blast. It was a positive response by Boston.

https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/919382230639640576

Marchand turned the puck over a few times in the defensive zone and it nearly turned into quality scoring chances for the Coyotes.

Pastrnak does things with the puck that appear to be a mistake, but it's more slight of hand. At one point, the Bruins had possession deep in the offensive zone when it looked as though Pastrnak over skated the puck and lost possession, but, in fact, he skated past the puck and took two defenders with him, which allowed Marchand to pick up the puck and get off a quick shot.

During Friday's practice, Cassidy preached the importance of getting pucks on net. "Don't be fancy," he told the players. Prior to the Bruins' goal in the first period, a few times Boston held onto the puck too long.

Kevan Miller, who exited practice on Friday after taking a puck off the knee, blocked a shot at the 14-minute mark and went to the bench in obvious discomfort. He did not miss a shift.

Here are the projected line combinations and defensive pairings: 

Marchand-Nash-Pastrnak

DeBrusk-Krejci-Bjork

Beleskey-Spooner-Czarnik

Schaller-Kuraly-Heinen

Defense

Chara-Carlo

Krug-McQuaid

Miller-McAvoy

Goalies

Khudobin

Rask