BSJ Game Report: Bruins 4, Stars 3 - B’s punch back, get back in win column

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 4-3 win over the Stars in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

Box Score

HEADLINES

B’s newcomers stand out as B’s get back on 

After a rather uninspiring debut during Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the Flames, Nick Ritchie put together a much more encouraging performance in his encore showing on Thursday night — tallying a goal and an assist in what was ultimately a 4-3 victory over the Stars. 

With the victory, Boston improves to 40-13-12 on the season and now holds a seven-point lead for the top seed in the Eastern Conference after Tampa Bay fell to the Blackhawks earlier this evening. 

A much more energized showing from Ritchie was just one of many positive developments on Thursday, as Boston’s other deadline acquisition in Ondrej Kase made his debut with the B’s and stood out on a new-look second line with Ritchie and David Krejci. 

Even if Kase didn’t end up on the scoresheet, his speed was very evident whenever he hopped over the boards — especially during transitional plays through the neutral zone. Kase managed to land two shots on goal, but was also solid in Boston’s own end when it came to disrupting a few passing lanes. 

Ritchie might be known as the power forward on that top-six unit, but it was Krejci that dealt out some punishment against the Stars, recording his first fighting major since Feb. 9, 2011 when he dropped the gloves with Joe Pavelski at 11:24 in the second. 

The veteran pivot’s scrap gave the Bruins a much-needed spark. A little over three minutes after Krejci was sent to the sin bin, Brad Marchand broke a 1-1 deadlock with his 26th goal of the season, while Ritchie tallied his first goal as a Bruin just 1:17 later to hand Boston a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. 

Denis Gurianov beat Jaroslav Halak just 1:18 into the third period to cut Boston’s lead to one, but Ritchie set up David Pastrnak’s 46th goal of the season just minutes later in the frame to give Boston a lead it would not relinquish. 

Miro Heiskanen scored after Ben Bishop was pulled from the net with under three minutes to go in regulation, but Halak (31 saves) shut the door down the final stretch to get Boston back in the win column. 

FOUR UP

Charlie Coyle: After putting together a rare no-show performance in Tuesday’s loss to Calgary, Coyle rebounded on Thursday with an impressive bat-in goal during a power-play sequence in the first period. While Boston’s top power-play unit has struggled over the last couple of weeks, Coyle has fit in rather well as Boston’s new net-front option during 5v4 play. 

Nick Ritchie: It was good to see Ritchie get on the board in the second period, but his best sequence might have been his rush with Pastrnak that led to the latter’s goal at 3:53 in the third period. Despite his label as a bruising power forward, Ritchie did showcase some impressive O-zone skills when gifted with a bit of open ice. 

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1233220762846322688

David Krejci: He might not have etched a point on the stat sheet Thursday night, but Krejci’s scrap with Pavelski clearly proved to be the spark that Boston needed — with Boston scoring a pair of goals just minutes after Krejci landed a couple of shots in against the fellow veteran forward. 

Jaroslav Halak: Halak stopped 31 of the 34 shots that came his way on Thursday, improving his record to 6-0-0 over his last six starts. 

ONE DOWN

Anders Bjork: While Coyle managed to tally his 16th goal of the season in the final seconds of the first period, a new-look third line of Coyle, Jake DeBrusk and Anders Bjork struggled to gain much traction during 5v5 play — with Boston out-attempted, 10-3, in their 8:43 of ice time. Bjork, in particular, struggled against Dallas, with the winger benched for the final 9:17 of the second period. 

PLAY OF THE GAME

Chaim Bloom might have to start sending a few scouts over to Weymouth this summer. Fantastic hand-eye coordination from Coyle here.

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1233199902433345541

PARTING THOUGHT

The last time David Krejci got into a fight (02/09/11), Charlie McAvoy was only 13 years old. Doesn’t look like Krejci’s lost much of a step since the last time he’s dropped the gloves, though. 

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1233210402802151425

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will now head on the road for a three-game road trip — starting with a matinee matchup against the Islanders on Saturday at Nassau Coliseum. Puck drop is set for 1 p.m.