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.
Pregame notes
Zdeno Chara and Charlie McAvoy remain sidelined, but both will travel with the team after the game and there's a possibility they're return to the lineup against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.
"They're close," Cassidy said. "I don't know if they'll play Sunday, but they're progressing and I anticipate we'll see them here in the next little bit."
Fourth-line center Sean Kuraly (upper body) remains out of the lineup, which means Noel Acciari will stay in the middle between Tim Schaller and Tommy Wingels. Kuraly, along with Rick Nash (upper body) have not skated yet and Cassidy isn't sure if those players will join the team on the upcoming road trip to Philly, Tampa and Florida.
Tuukka Rask will start today against the Panthers, and backup Anton Khudobin will get the nod against the Flyers tomorrow. Rask is scheduled to play on Tuesday and Thursday against the Lightning and Panthers, respectively. Since the Bruins finish the regular season with back-to-back games next weekend, Cassidy said he will allow Rask to make that decision whether or not he plays in either one of those games.
Observations from the first period.
- Good puck management by Brandon Carlo to start the game. Earlier this season he would have iced it.
- Instead of digging for the puck, start clearing guys out. Panthers score during a scramble in front for a 1-0 lead.
- Acciari has done a solid job playing the middle the last few games.
- It's impressive how strong Marchand is in tight spaces while using such a long stick.
- BTW: Charlie McAvoy won the Seventh Player Award. I would've gone with Khudobin.
- Puck is bouncing all over the place today. WWE was in the building last night.
- That was an incredible play by Krejci and Nick Holden finishes with a goal to tie the game at 1-1.
- Smart, heads-up play by Donato from behind the net to feed DeBrusk in front to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead. Donato threaded that pass. It's also DeBrusk's 40th point of the season.
- Ryan Donato, folks. Ryan Donato. Bruins with a 3-1 lead.
- Ensuing faceoff Adam McQuaid and and Michael Haley drop the gloves. Man, McQuaid is a heavyweight.
- Riley Nash took a shot off the side of the head and needs help off the ice. A lot of blood and also needed help down the tunnel and into the room.
- The Bruins are shooting a lot from the outside.
- Opponents know what Marchand is going to do, but they still can't defend him.
- DeBrusk is playing with a lot of energy. He understands the way he plays in the final few games will determine his playing time in the playoffs.
- Another aspect of Pastrnak's game that goes unnoticed is his willingness to take a hit to make a play.
- Safe to say Marchand and Vincent Trocheck don't like each other.
- Now McGinn with a slash on Bergeron's wrist.
- After Bruins kill off the Marchand penalty, Boston going on the power play.
- Bruins capitalize on the power play for a 4-1 lead. Bergeron stuffed it home during a scramble in front.
- Play is under review.
- Call on the ice stands and Bruins have a 4-1 lead.
- So, with Marchand still in the box and Riley Nash not back, Danton Heinen playing with Krejci and DeBrusk. Donato with Bergeron for the time being.
- Marchand is out of the box and Bergeron's line is back at full strength.
- DeBrusk with his second goal of the game to give the Bruins a 5-1 lead with 3:28 remaining in the second period. Going to the dirty areas.
- Panthers make a goalie change. Roberto Luongo now in net.
- NOW: my third line for the playoffs would be Nash-Nash-Backes.
- Heinen nearly made it a five-goal advantage but he can't convert.
- With Grzelcyk in the box, the ref though the Panthers scored but after review the puck hit the crossbar and never went in.
- Carlo being taken out on a stretcher. It could be because he was right in front of the Zamboni door and the access to the stretcher was right there instead of having him carried across the ice.
- Carlo has been playing consistent hockey too. It will be a tough break if he's out long term.
- 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 just did. He did well.
- Donato with a breakaway but can't finish. He's been on the ice for all six goals in this game.