BSJ Game Report: Bruins 5, Panthers 1 -- A three-point game for Jake DeBrusk in his return

After missing the previous eight games with an upper-body injury, rookie forward Jake DeBrusk returned to the lineup and scored two goals and added an assist to lead the Boston Bruins to a 5-1 victory over the Florida Panthers Saturday afternoon at TD Garden.

With the win, the Bruins (109 points) regain the top spot in the Atlantic Division over the idle Tampa Bay Lightning (108 points).

Since Rick Nash remains sidelined with an upper-body injury, DeBrusk was reunited with center David Krejci and rookie Ryan Donato was moved to the right side. Maybe this line could an option during the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs.

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

HEADLINES



Another injury: Late in the third period, Brandon Carlo suffered what appeared to be a serious leg injury. He was taken off the ice on a stretcher, but coach Bruce Cassidy didn't have an update immediately after the game. Carlo was battling for the puck in the corner when he fell awkwardly on his leg.

"I doesn't look good when you go off on a stretcher, so we'll keep our fingers crossed on that one," Cassidy said.

A Torey Krug shot inadvertently hit teammate Riley Nash on the right side of the head in the second period and he did not return. Cassidy said Nash was receiving stitches on his ear. Since the team is traveling to Philadelphia after the game, Cassidy wasn't sure if Carlo and Riley Nash would travel.

 

Tuukka Rask: Started the season 3-8-2 and since that rough patch he's 31-3-3 and not even being talked about for the Vezina Trophy. With his 30-save performance against the Panthers, he's 9-0-1 in his last 11 games. With five games remaining in the season, Rask is expected to play only two more games, which will be Tuesday in Tampa and Thursday in Florida. The Bruins have back-to-back games next weekend to finish the regular season and Cassidy said it will be Rask's decision if he wants to play in one of those games.

TURNING POINT

Sick play: With the Panthers holding a 1-0 lead in the first period, Bruins defenseman Nick Holden scored his first goal since arriving in Boston at trade deadline. It was a sick play by David Krejci and resulted in the Bruins tying the game at 1-1 at 11:15. He had control of the puck near the right point in the offensive zone when Holden broke toward the net on the far post. From just inside the blue line, Krejci threaded a pass to Holden, who drove it past Panthers goalie James Reimer. That goal opened the flood gates for the Bruins.

"The way they play their D-zone they're man-on-man, so we talked about it before the game to create motion. Krejci was going up the wall and Adam (McQuaid) was sliding towards the middle, so I took the wide side and luckily their forward was sleeping a little bit and Krejci made an unbelievable pass."

When asked if he thought Krejci saw him breaking to the net, Holden said: "Some guys I would say, 'no' but absolutely he knew I was there. It seemed like the puck was going in slow motion, but I just got my stick on it and it went in."

THREE UP 

DeBrusk: With his three-point game, the rookie has 16 goals and 26 assists for 42 points in 65 games this season. Reaching the 40-point plateau in his first season is impressive for the 21-year-old rookie.

Adam McQuaid: The veteran defenseman always plays his physical brand of hockey. He also wants to remain in the lineup in the Stanley Cup playoffs if everyone is healthy, so he's ramped up his physical play of late. Even though fighting doesn't normally occur in the playoffs, he's still willing to drop the gloves in the regular season. He went toe-to-toe with the Panthers' Michael Haley at 1:57 of the second period and it was a heavyweight bout with McQuaid walking away with the win.

Noel Acciari: Apparently, MacKenzie Weegar didn't realize Acciari can throw with his left. The last couple of games No. 55 has been more than willing to engage in fisticuffs but it never came to fruition. It did this afternoon and he did well in the bout.

ONE DOWN 

Vincent Trocheck: The frustration from the last time these teams played two weeks ago in Florida spilled over into today's game. Brad Marchand was chipping with the Panthers' Jonathan Huberdeau near the benches when Trocheck came from the other side of the ice and started swinging with Marchand, who quickly landed a couple of punches. He received a double-minor and Trocheck only got two for roughing.

 

UP NEXT

The Bruins travel to Philadelphia to face the Flyers at 12:30 on Sunday.