BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Admit it, folks. You're even started to think the Bruins have a chance to do something special this season. It's hard not to think that given the fact that the team is riding a 15-game point streak after Thursday's 5-2 win over the New York Islanders at Barclays Center.
During this stretch, the Bruins are getting contributions throughout the lineup and the goalie tandem of Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin has been spot on. Playing on back-to-back nights, and winning both games, is also a strong sign for Boston and it produced an interesting night on the Island.
Everything else you need to know from the Bruins' win in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis.
HEADLINES
Hat collector: Patrice Bergeron scored three goals for his second hat trick of the season. He registered goals Nos. 17, 18 and 19. He has 38 points in 39 games. It’s not surprising that Boston’s alternate captain is dominating at both ends of the ice and as a result, he has nine goals and five assists for 14 points in his last seven games.
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Committed: Ryan Spooner has been reborn this season. He’s playing a 200-foot game. He’s been physical and producing offensively. He scored Boston’s second goal of the game in an all-out effort off an offensive-zone faceoff and pitchforked the puck past Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak at 9:47 of the second period. It was Spooner’s fourth goal in the last five games. He’s finding his place on David Krejci’s right side.
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"He's done a nice job," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "He wants to be in the lineup and play and be part of it and contribute. That's what I see and when I've had a discussion with him, those are his words; he wants to be part of it. If it means he plays the wing, he plays the wing. Personally, the right side is not a bad spot for him because he sees the ice better. It's worked out well.
"I just like the fact that he competed for the puck and scored a greasy goal and that's the part of the game we're encouraging -- score some greasy goals. He'll get his share of nice goals and make his nice plays, but get some greasy goals and he's done that. He's done a really good job and you've got to tip your hat to him."
Streaking: The Bruins extended their point streak to 15 games with an 11-0-4 record in this span. The reason for that: Not only is the top line of Brad Marchand, Bergeron and David Pastrnak producing, the team is also getting solid goaltending from both Anton Khudobin and Tuukka Rask. Special teams have been a key component to this current streak and the players believe they’re in the midst of something special.
TURNING POINT
Timing is everything: There were zero penalties in the game until the Islanders’ Anders Lee was whistled for tripping at 13:34 of the second period. The Bruins were holding a one-goal lead at the time of the penalty and quickly capitalized on the power play for a 3-1 lead at 13:49. It was Bergeron’s second goal of the game and 18th of the season.
THREE UP
Anton Khudobin: He wasn’t tested often, but he made his share of timely saves to earn his 10th win of the season. The backup is 10-2-4 in 17 games. His biggest save came with the Bruins holding a two-goal lead late in the second period. The Islanders were pressing with a sustained forecheck when defenseman Scott Mayfield unleashed a blast from the point and the puck found its way through traffic. Khudobin flashed his left pad to make the stop and kick the puck into the corner.
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Torey Krug: Shoot ‘em up, Torey. He was a man possessed in terms of getting pucks on the net, which is a good sign. He finished with three shots, but one, in particular, led to Boston’s first power-play goal by Bergeron. Krug has been doing a much better job of late in this category. It’s not about just floating the puck on net either. He’s been putting something behind it and making sure those heavy shots make it through traffic and hit the net.
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Adam McQuaid: It’s going to be a tough decision for Cassidy once Kevan Miller (missed last two games due to illness) is cleared to play. McQuaid missed 36 games after breaking his leg on Oct. 19, but he’s taking full advantage of this recent opportunity. He finished with three shots, two hits and logged 20:07 of ice time. He was physical and wasn’t backing down from a challenge, which is the norm for McQuaid. It's also a tough decision because Miller has produced the best season of his pro career to this point.
TWO DOWN
Brandon Carlo: He must really dislike playing at Barclays. In the last two games here the second-year defenseman has made two costly turnovers that have resulted in goals for the Islanders. He was also called for a tripping penalty at the 20-minute mark of the second period on Thursday. The Bruins’ PK was able to kill it off to start the third period.
Classic case of @Barzal_97 ➡ @jeberle_7. #NYIvsBOS pic.twitter.com/hf6w0jQTmk
— NHL (@NHL) January 19, 2018