BSJ Game Report: Bruins 5, Blues 2 - David Krejci, Chris Wagner help B’s snap losing skid taken at TD Garden (Bruins)

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BSJ Game Report: Bruins 5, Blues 2 - David Krejci, Chris Wagner help B’s snap losing skid

By Conor Ryan

Jan 17, 2019 • 11:13 pm

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Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 5-2 win over the Blues in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Bruins might just have something on that second line: Now, I don’t want to get ahead of myself here, but … Peter Cehlarik has been pretty damn good in his two games on the second line with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk. The 23-year-old winger once again complimented his top-six partners after tallying a pair of goals on Wednesday, notching the secondary assist on Torey Krug’s 5v5 goal in the opening stanza Thursday night. So far, Cehlarik hasn’t looked out of place on that line, using his size to fight for pucks in the corner while pushing the puck through the neutral zone — as he did during the sequence leading up to Krug’s goal.

Individually, Cehlarik finished the night with an absurd 81.82 Corsi For Percentage in 13:52 of 5v5 TOI, while also holding a 9-0 edge in scoring chances generated. Now, a few good showings from Cehlarik in a top-six role doesn’t mean Boston is still not in desperate need of an effective forward to help the team’s playoff push. But for now, Cehlarik is certainly making the most of the opportunity given to him.

Lineup shuffling leads to mixed results: While David Backes cashed in with a power-play goal in his return to the lineup, John Moore’s return from a three-game absence wasn’t quite as rewarding. The odd man out on the blue line following Charlie McAvoy’s return, Moore was pretty rusty on Thursday, with the defenseman out for a pair of goals against. Cassidy has harped on the luxury of having seven to eight capable defensemen on the roster, but Thursday was a case of Boston shooting itself in the foot, as Matt Grzelcyk was forced to watch the game from press level as a result of Moore’s addition to the lineup. 

FIVE UP

Chris Wagner: After posting just three points in his first 28 games of the season, Wagner is suddenly up to eight points (four goals, four assists) in his last 17 outings — while providing his trademark physicality on the fourth line. The Walpole native has been as advertised in his first season with Boston, with his latest highlight coming in the form of filthy goal he notched in the third period to put Boston ahead for good.

Zdeno Chara: Any time we get to see a Zdeno Chara fight has to be a plus, right? The 41-year-old defenseman made quick work of 6-foot-3 Patrick Maroon in the first, dropping him to the ice just seconds after Maroon delivered a heavy hit on Charlie McAvoy behind the Bruins’ net. Nice response from Chara, who is still the scariest guy in the league to drop the gloves with.




David Backes:
It’s been a rough week for Backes, who was scratched for the first time in 12 years during Wednesday’s loss to the Flyers. Returning to game action while skating on the fourth line Thursday, Backes was solid during 5v5 play — posting a 52.94 Corsi For Percentage over 10:31 of ice time. However, he did light the lamp for the first time since Jan. 5 on the power play, tipping a Chara
 
blast past
Jake Allen
while taking a hit in the slot. Backes is still searching for a good fit in the lineup, but Thursday was at least a solid showing after sitting out for the night.


Tuukka Rask:
Rask (28 saves) put himself on the brink of a major milestone on Thursday, with a win over the Blues standing as the 252nd of his NHL career. That ties him with
Tiny Thompson
for the most career wins for a goalie in team history.


David Krejci:
Seems like Krejci is liking his new winger. Krejci was fantastic on Thursday, posting a 70.83 Corsi For Percentage and recording three assists on the night. Despite all of the turnover on his line — Krejci is now up to 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in his last 21 games.


TWO DOWN


John Moore-Kevan Miller pairing:
Going to make a bold proclamation here, but I don’t think this is the performance Moore
 
envisioned when he got the call to return to the lineup after sitting out the last three games. The Miller-Moore pairing had quite a few rough outings in its own zone on Thursday, with both of the Blues’ tallies coming with both blueliners out on the ice. Wouldn’t come as much of a surprise if Grzelcyk is bumped back into the lineup for Saturday’s matchup against the Rangers.


Danton Heinen:
Nothing too encouraging from Heinen in this one, with the winger posting a rough 30.00 Corsi For Percentage over 10:04 of 5v5 ice time. In total, the Blues held a commanding 11-1 edge in shots on goal during that stretch where Heinen was out on the ice.


PLAY OF THE GAME


Nice mitts, Chris Wagner. (Also, a great feed by
Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson
to set up the play).




PARTING THOUGHT


Pretty awesome moment minutes ahead of puck drop on “Hockey Is For Everyone Night.”




LOOKING AHEAD


The Bruins have one game remaining on their docket before entering their league-mandated bye week, with Boston set to host the Rangers at TD Garden on Saturday night. Puck drop against the Blueshirts is set for 7 p.m.

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