BSJ Game Report: Bruins 7, Hurricanes 1 -- Bergeron produces a five-point night

Patrice Bergeron’s point total against the Carolina Hurricanes Saturday night was higher than the temperature outside of TD Garden.

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

HEADLINES



A hat celebration: It was a bittersweet moment for many of the 17,565 in attendance that tossed their hats onto the ice after Bergeron recorded only the second hat trick of his career. Sure, the fans were thrilled by his performance, but I’m sure they wished they had their hats when they exited the TD Garden in this weather. Boston’s alternate captain scored four goals and added an assist for five points en route to a 7-1 blowout. He now has 11 goals and two assists for 13 points in his last 11 games.

Back on track: Maybe lost in Bergeron’s performance was the fact that linemate David Pastrnak snapped his 10-game scoring drought with a power-play tally at 9:04 of the first period. It was his 16^th goal of the season. He added two assists and overall has 38 points in 39 games this season.

Cruising: Brad Marchand finished with a career-high four assists and he now has eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points in his last 17 games.

TURNING POINT

We've got this: David Krejci’s high-sticking penalty at 2:20 of the first period was not an ideal start for the Bruins. That’s when Boston’s penalty-killing unit stepped up and produced the game’s first goal by Bergeron at 3:14. It’s the second shorthanded goal the Bruins have scored this season.

THREE UP

More than the top line: Obviously Bergeron, Marchand and Pastrnak deserve to be in this category, but since they’re tonight’s headliners, this first spot goes to Danton Heinen. He had an assist in this game and now has two goals and five assists for seven points in his last five games.

David Backes: Quietly, he continues to provide the offense. He had an assist tonight to give him three goals and six assists for nine points in his last six games.

Anton Khudobin: Got to give him credit for the way he played. He wasn’t challenged often but he made some timely saves and finished with 27 saves. He’s 2-0-1 in his last three starts.

TWO DOWN

Cam Ward: Boston’s first two goals were scored high glove on the short side. He faced only two shots and allowed two goals before he was given the hook and replaced by Scott Darling.

Ryan Spooner: Not because he played poorly, but he did not finish the game after exiting midway through the third period. Bruce Cassidy did not have an update on Spooner after the game.

NOT ON THE SCORE SHEET

The blowout victory allowed Cassidy the opportunity to manage the players’ minutes. That will prove crucial since the team is playing back-to-back games this weekend. Zdeno Chara, who normally averages nearly 25 minutes per game, logged 21:55 against the Hurricanes. Charlie McAvoy played 18:31, which is second lowest of the season and lowest total since Oct. 19. Bergeron played 14:18.

UP NEXT

The Bruins will face the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at PPG Pants Arena.