BSJ Game Report: Bruins 4, Rangers 2 - Boston comes alive in 3rd, wears down Rangers for 10 straight wins

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 4-2 win over the New York Rangers, with BSJ insight and analysis…

BOX SCORE 

HEADLINES

Bruins ride big third period to 10th straight win: Charlie Coyle had a goal and an assist, and four different Bruins skaters scored as Boston knocked off the New York Rangers, 4-2, at TD Garden. 

Tomas Nosek, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak each scored as well for Boston (49-8-5). Tyler Bertuzzi notched his first point as a Bruin with an assist, and Dmitry Orlov continued his scoring streak with an assist as well. Linus Ullmark made 24 saves.

Alexis Lafreniere scored twice for New York (35-19-9). Igor Shesterkin made 22 saves. 

Coyle opened the scoring when he buried a one-timer on a perfect feed from Bertuzzi to the slot in the cycle with Trent Frederic. 

Nosek and Coyle went to work on the forecheck shorthanded, and Coyle dished to Nosek, who deked Shesterkin for a beauty to make it 2-0 just 30 seconds into the second. 

Lafreniere cut it to 2-1 when he redirected Jacob Trouba’s shot from the point off the post and in. The puck shot out so quickly it didn’t appear to cross the line at first, but video review confirmed it went in. 

Bergeron extended it to 3-1 with 12:56 left in the third with a wrister off the far post and in from his spot in the slot. It is the 11th straight year that Bergeron has reached the 20-goal mark. 

Pastrnak made it 4-1 with a one-timer in transition from McAvoy. Orlov started the counter rush in the neutral zone, finding David Krejci, who dished McAvoy upon entering the zone. Bertuzzi was the only Bruins skater to not touch the puck in the quick transition.

Lafreniere got it back to 4-2 when his centering pass skipped in off Derek Forbort’s stick. 

THREE UP

Tyler Bertuzzi: The newly acquired Bruin made a strong first impression in his debut after coming over from Detroit, especially with his slick feed to Coyle. Boston generated three high-danger chances with Bertuzzi on the ice at 5-on-5, surrendering none. Shot attempts also favored the Bruins by 58.33 percent at 5-on-5 with Bertuzzi out there. 

Charlie Coyle: Coyle had one of his strongest games in a while, and it started with finding open space for his goal in the first period. He logged the second-most shorthanded ice time (2:54) among Bruins skaters and was effective on the penalty kill, highlighted by his feed to Nosek for the shorthanded goal. 

Orlov-McAvoy: Orlov’s strong start in Boston continues, adding another assist on Bergeron’s goal. He and McAvoy were dominant at 5-on-5, each holding a Corsi-for percentage of at least 74 percent, per Natural Stat Trick. They were also a force in transition, exemplified by Pastrnak’s third-period tally. Orlov made a quick up to Krejci, and McAvoy jumped into the play to find Pastrnak for the one-timer.

TWO DOWN

The power play: Boston’s man-advantage has been better of late, but it is still shaking off some rust after last month’s extended slump. The power play generated good opportunities, but for the most part failed to sustain pressure, particularly at key times early in the third. The Bruins rank 26th in the league in power play percentage (16.2) since Jan. 1. They worked at a 27.6 percent clip until Dec. 31.

The first 40 minutes: It was another slow start for Boston, who managed to take a one-goal lead into the third period after being outshot 23-15 through the first two. The Bruins weren’t sharp offensively as they couldn’t maintain offensive zone time and hem the Rangers in. They turned it on in the third, holding a depleted New York squad to just three shots. Fatigue likely played a factor early for Boston and late for New York. It was the B’s sixth game in nine days, so four days between games will be beneficial.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Who knew Nosek had this in him?

LOOSE PUCKS

WEEI’s Scott McLaughlin suggested calling Bertuzzi-Coyle-Frederic the Candy Cane Line, given the jerseys each donned at one point in the past. 

Also, have a look at Bertuzzi's tape job.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins get a much-needed four-day break, returning to action on Thursday when they host Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. Puck-drop is set for 7:30 p.m. at TD Garden. It will be an ESPN+/Hulu game.