BOX SCORE
Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 6-3 win over the Blackhawks in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis…
HEADLINES
Bruins offense wakes up without Pastrnak: So far, so good, right? Playing in their first game without David Pastrnak, the Bruins’ usually listless offense picked apart a Blackhawks club that entered Tuesday’s matchup with a seven-game win streak. It’s a small one-game sample, and the Blackhawks are still on the outside looking in at the playoff picture, but it’s hard to not be encouraged with what the Bruins showcased in the offensive zone. Whether it be Krejci cashing in with a goal in Pastrnak’s usual spot on the man advantage, both Jake DeBrusk and Peter Cehlarik lighting the lamp or Danton Heinen rolling on a top line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand — Boston more held its own without its top goal scorer in the lineup.
Now, Don Sweeney isn’t going to tap out of trade-deadline talks going forward, because this B’s team still needs another proven scorer or two to truly compete with the big guns in the Eastern Conference. But for the first time in what seems like months, Boston’s chances were finally rewarded, and Bruce Cassidy and his staff could finally breathe easy without having to deal with a one-goal final.
Bruins take care of business: It might have taken a pair of OT results, but the Bruins have to be happy with snagging six out of a possible six points on their three-game homestand. Despite coming up short in a few extra periods over the last couple of weeks, Boston is doing what it needs to do when it comes to steadily accruing points — while also posting wins over clubs that it should beat such as Chicago, Colorado and Los Angeles.
Boston still faces an uphill battle going forward with Pastrnak out of commission for at least two weeks, but this club has shown multiple times this season that it has plenty of fight — especially during this eight-game point streak. Boston might be on the road for the next two weeks, but a pair of matchups against the cellar-dwelling Kings and Ducks (51 points apiece) will give the B’s another window to pile on wins.
FIVE UP
Marchand-Bergeron-Heinen line: Ho hum — a casual nine points from Boston’s top line with Marchand leading the way with a goal and three helpers. Don’t look now, but Heinen has been on a warpath as of late — with the winger now up to now up to three goals and six points over his last four outings. As a line, Boston’s new top trio has been out on the ice for 7 5v5 goals for and zero against.
Penalty kill: Boston’s scoring outburst and the play of Heinen might get most of the headlines from Tuesday’s win, but a great showing on the penalty kill might have set the tone on the night. Already reeling after a gift goal off the stick of Alex DeBrincat, the Bruins were dealt another blow early in the opening stanza, with both Marchand and Zdeno Chara heading off for penalties just 1:11 apart.
Even without a pair of their most reliable penalty killers, the Bruins more than held their own during the 5-on-3 sequence, with the Blackhawks only landing a single shot on goal. With both Marchand and Chara out of the box, it only took Boston a little over four minutes later to net the equalizer — starting a stretch of three goals in the span of 4:12.
Jake DeBrusk: He might have tipped a blast from Duncan Keith home in the final minute of the second period, but it was an encouraging night from DeBrusk, who entered the game mired in a 13-game goalless streak. Along with notching a pair of assists, he finally lit the lamp by doing what he does best, tipping a Krejci feed home from the crease. The talented winger kept things simple and was rewarded for it — now it’s time to see him get on a roll.
Fourth line: At this point, is it even fair calling this trio a “fourth line,” because both the minutes and overall production says otherwise. The Kuraly-Acciari-Wagner line was a group possessed on Tuesday, with Boston holding a 13-4 edge in attempts and an 8-2 advantage in scoring chances during the 11:39 of 5v5 TOI in which that line was skating. When that line is rolling, good luck getting the puck back against a forecheck like that.
David Krejci: Filling in for Pastrnak on the power play, Krejci answered the call with a strike on the man advantage in the first, while later adding his second goal of the night at 15:42. The Bruins are going to have to rely on Krejci to keep that second line humming without No. 88 — so far he’s been as advertised.
ONE DOWN
Tuukka Rask: By the end of the night, Rask rebounded with a 23-save effort, improving to 10-0-2 in his last 13 appearances. But still, Boston’s netminder has to get knocked for his brutal opening goal from Alex DeBrincat at 4:22 in the first. Yikes.
Not what you're looking for right there.
1-0 Chicago. pic.twitter.com/36JuMpBDLj
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) February 13, 2019
Brad Marchand gives the Bruins a 3-1 lead. Great play by Heinen on the primary helper. pic.twitter.com/VlyRkmMg4B
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) February 13, 2019
dAvId KrEjCi CaNt StAy HeAlThy pic.twitter.com/skngj2ivzo
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) February 13, 2019