BSJ Game Report: Bruins 4, Penguins 3 -- Winning streak extends to four games

Everything you need to know from the Bruins' win over the Penguins at TD Garden:

HEADLINES

On a roll: The Bruins have won four straight. In the previous three games, it was the netminding heroics of Anton Khudobin that proved crucial. The Penguins didn't test him too often this afternoon, but he made a few timely saves to secure the victory. His final and 17th save of the game was his best. In the closing seconds, Penguins sharp shooter Phil Kessel fired a shot from the left half wall with eight seconds remaining. Khudobin was screened on the play, but reacted perfectly and made the save. With the win, he improves to 7-0-2 this season. Despite the recent string of success, don't be surprised if coach Bruce Cassidy starts Tuukka Rask on Sunday against the Edmonton Oilers. Cassidy might have started Rask today, but because the team was off yesterday and did not have a morning skate today, the coach felt it was unfair to throw the No. 1 goalie back in the net after more than a week from his last game.

De-Bruins: Rookie forward Jake DeBrusk has been a force since he was a healthy scratch on Nov. 11. He had two assists today, giving him two goals and two assists for four points in his last three games. Overall, he has six points in his last five games.

Good to be back: After missing 11 games with a back injury, David Krejci has returned to his normal productive self. He had a goal and added an assist today for his first points in four games played since returning to the lineup.

TWO UP

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/934144432978518017

Matt Grzelcyk: It was great to see Charlestown's own score his first NHL goal in front of the hometown fans. He becomes the seventh Bruins player this season to record his first regular-season tally, joining DeBrusk, Charlie McAvoy, Anders Bjork, Sean Kuraly, Danton Heinen and Peter Cehlarik. Grzelcyk was recalled from Providence for Wednesday's game against the New Jersey Devils. He played well in place of the injured Torey Krug. So, when Krug returned to the lineup today, Cassidy decided to go with seven defensemen.

Danton Heinen: This guy has done everything the Bruins have asked the entire season. His versatility has been key, especially during the team's four-game winning streak. He can play and be effective in both a top-six role, or in the bottom six. Heinen's played well with Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. Heinen did not show up on the score sheet, but he does so many things well, especially defensively that proved crucial in the victory.

ONE DOWN

David Pastrnak: Yes, he scored. It was his first goal in the last six games. It was a breakaway goal and he should score on those. It should also be the type of goal that could get him going in the right direction. However, he hasn't been at his best of late and that includes the first two periods of this game. At one point late in the second period, he coasted to the bench and the Bruins were called for offside. It could have been a quality scoring chance for Krug.

TURNING POINT

Blocked shot: Ryan Spooner has been criticized plenty in these pages, but you've got to give him credit for a blocked shot that led to Pastrnak's game-winning goal. The Penguins had sustained pressure in the offensive zone when Pittsburgh's Kris Letang fired a shot from the right boards. Spooner blocked the shot, Riley Nash gained control and threaded a pass to Pastrnak, who scored at 5:05 of the third period.

https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/934179747017445376

NOT ON THE SCORE SHEET

Kicked out: With the Bruins holding onto a one-goal lead in the waning seconds of the third period, the Penguins had an offensive-zone faceoff with 7.5 seconds remaining in regulation. It was Bergeron against Sidney Crosby. Fortunately for the Bruins, Crosby jumped too soon and was tossed out of the dot. Bergeron won the draw against Jake Guentzel and the Bruins ran out the clock.

Injury report: Cehlarik was injured late in the third period and did not return. Cassidy did not have an update immediately after the game.

UP NEXT

The Bruins will host the Edmonton Oilers at 5 p.m. Sunday.