NEW YORK -- Even though the Boston Bruins posted a 4-1-0 record during Brad Marchand's five-game suspension, the team looked lethal with the veteran forward back in the lineup against the Rangers on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Bruce Cassidy put his lineup back to normal and it led to a 6-1 victory. Scouts and other hockey personnel from around the league in attendance were all talking about how good the Bruins are and the team's potential for the remainder of the season and into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
With the win against New York, the Bruins are one point behind the idle Tampa Bay Lightning for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
Everything else you need to know from the Bruins' win in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis.
HEADLINES
Balanced attack: The Bruins needed another one of these types of games when they're receiving scoring from different lines. All four lines contributed a goal. After Patrice Bergeron's two goals, Tim Schaller, Riley Nash, Sean Kuraly and Zdeno Chara all scored.
Doby does his thing: Since the Bruins played the second game of their ninth set of 14 back-to-back games this season, Anton Khudobin was given the nod against the Rangers. He was outstanding early and the Bruins fed off his performance and opened it up against New York en route to victory. He's 11-3-4 in 19 games this season. That's 26 points he's helped Boston earn on year. He even added an assist on Schaller's goal.
Streaking: Since the Bruins had their 18-game point streak snapped in a 3-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 30, Boston has won four consecutive games. The Bruins are 21-2-4 in their last 27 games.
TURNING POINT
Stoned: With the game tied at 1-1 in the first period, the Rangers created a sustained attack in the offense zone and were pressuring Khudobin with a barrage of shots at the 11-minute mark. During one sequence, New York's Mika Zibanejad, Nick Holden and Rick Nash each produced a quality scoring chance in a span of 11 seconds, but Khudobin turned away all three with acrobatic saves. It proved crucial because the Bruins fed off their goalie's performance and scored the go-ahead goal when Chara registered his fifth of the season at 16:09 of the first. Then the Bruins just piled it on.
Oh my Anton Khudobin pic.twitter.com/Opc3EArv4z
— Marina Molnar (@mkmolnar) February 8, 2018
Zdeno Chara gives the #NHLBruins the 2-1 lead pic.twitter.com/XkYzwM0MWv
— Marina Molnar (@mkmolnar) February 8, 2018
Rangers can't get the puck out, Debrusk goes around Skjei, eats Kampfer's lunch and Chara eventually scores to make it 2-1 Bruins #NYR pic.twitter.com/1JTbXwysJM
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) February 8, 2018
We'll just leave this one right here. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/Qq8tqN0et5
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 8, 2018
McQuaid versus McLeod. First Bruins fight in about a million years. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/9nFB1cq3gi
— Colin Beswick (@CBeswick) February 8, 2018