BSJ Game Report: Bruins 5, Senators 0 -- Krug & Co. respond in a big way

Everything else you need to know from the Bruins' win in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis. 

HEADLINES



Response game: When a coach sends a message to an individual player, or to the entire team, the way everyone responds gives you a true indication of the group’s makeup. Well, fresh off a 4-3 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday at Capital One Arena, the Bruins responded in a big way and dominated the Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. Boston received contributions throughout the lineup. Every aspect of the Bruins’ game deserves accolades for this effort. As result, the Bruins finish December with a 10-2-2 record in 14 games.

True veteran: That aforementioned “individual” player was Torey Krug. He played one of his worst games of the season on Thursday, which forced Bruce Cassidy to bench the veteran defenseman late in a 3-3 game and he never touched the ice in overtime. It was expected Krug would bounce back and he did. He was engaged and invested from start. He was controlling his gaps better, jumping into the play and managing the puck well. He finished with two assists, two blocks, two hits and 17:28 of ice time. After the game, Cassidy admitted the two had a talk Saturday morning and the coach quickly gave Krug credit after the win for his performance.

Powerful: After going 0-for-5 on the power play against the Capitals, the Bruins’ man-advantage was outstanding and went 3-for-4 against the Senators. Since David Krejci returned to the lineup, Cassidy tweaked his power-play units and both responded. The first unit consisted of Krug, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Danton Heinen and David Pastrnak. The second unit was Charlie McAvoy, Ryan Spooner, David Backes, Jake DeBrusk and Krejci. Spooner, Krejci and Bergeron each scored a power-play goal.

TURNING POINT

Ain't no stopping us now: The Bruins dominated from start to finish, but it was the two even-strength goals from Noel Acciari and Spooner in the second period that put the game out of reach for the struggling Senators. It was a positive sign that Boston didn’t let up in the second, which is something that did against the Capitals.

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/947276356085305344

https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/947285183757242370

THREE UP

Ryan Spooner: Again, I’ve been critical of him for the majority of his pro career. I always felt he wasn’t committed enough and lacked energy and desire to compete at this level. No doubt he has the talent to be one of the better players on the ice, but he’s never shown it on a consistent basis – until now. He’s been outstanding of late and he scored two goals against the Senators. His not shying away from the physical aspect of the game and he’s been productive at both ends of the ice. Here's the column I wrote on Spooner last week that explains a lot about his transformation this season. 

David Krejci: Yes, he scored a goal, but his ability to slow the game down, especially on the power play makes the Bruins a better team – if that’s even possible at this point. He presence adds so much depth and the 1-2 punch between himself and Bergeron is nearly unbeatable. A solid performance from Krejci, who missed the previous six games with an upper-body injury.

https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/947283483222831104

Tuukka Rask: Boston’s No. 1 is playing like he did when he won the Vezina Trophy in 2013-14. Rask finished with 25 saves against the Senators for his second shutout of the season and he’s 10-0-1 in his last 11 games. He has not allowed more than one goal in his last four games.

https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/947297454919122944

TWO DOWN

David Pastrnak: The high-flying forward has now gone nine games without a goal. He does have five assists in that span.

Guy Boucher: I don't cover the team, but I've always felt Boucher is the type of coach who's good in small doses. I'm not sure what's going on in Ottawa, but it's too talented of a team to be playing this poorly.

UP NEXT

The Bruins return home and will practice on Monday before heading back on the road to face the New York Islanders on Tuesday at Barclays Center.