Final: Bruins 6, Rangers 3 - Pastrnak gets hat trick as Bruins defeat Rangers

The Bruins get back in the win column with a 6-3 victory against the New York Rangers. Even with JT Miller making his return to the Rangers, the Bruins played the better offensive game.

Boston started the game with a lot of energy, winning puck battles and generating a lot of chances in their offensive zone. Eventually, it lead to the first goal of the game from Charlie McAvoy on the power play.

The Rangers tied things up with Miller scoring New York's first goal of the game. However, the game wasn't tied much longer as Matthew Poitras found David Pastrnak which gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead going into the first intermission.

In the second period, the Bruins added onto their lead with a tipped goal from Charlie Coyle and a second chance opportunity on the power play from Pavel Zacha. 

Early in the third period, Miller responded by scoring his second goal of the game, but Pastrnak returned the game to a three goal deficit also scoring his second goal with Poitras picking up another assist.

In the last five minutes of the game, Pastrnak completed the hat trick scoring on the empty that sealed a much needed victory for the Bruins.

The Bruins were the better offensive team in this game. They were able to win puck battles, limit shots, and keep the puck on their stick through the majority of this game. Young guys such as Poitras and Mason Lohrei performed great with the puck on their stick which helped Boston stay in the offensive zone the entire way. Overall, a great bounce back win.

The Bruins continue their homestead as the Minnesota Wild come to town. That game will be played on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

_____________________

WHO: Bruins (25-22-6) vs Rangers (24-22-4)
WHEN: 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: TD Garden, Boston
TV: NESN
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub

LIVE BOX SCORE

ROSTERS

PROJECTED LINES

Boston

Geekie - Zacha - Pastrnak

Marchand - Lindholm - Coyle

Frederic - Poitras - Brazeau

Koepke - Beecher - Wahlstrom

Lohrei - McAvoy

Callahan - Carlo

Zadorov - Peeke

Swayman

Korpisalo

New York

Panarin - Trocheck - Lafrenière

Kreider - Miller - Kaliyev

Cuylle - Zibanejad - Smith 

Edstrom - Carrick - Rempe

Lindgren - Fox

Miller - Borgen

Vaakanainen - Schneider

Shesterkin

Quick

PREGAME NOTES

The Bruins look to end their two game losing streak in a Saturday afternoon matchup against a revamped New York Rangers team.

Last night, the Rangers acquired JT Miller via trade with the Vancouver Canucks. Miller spent his first six years with New York. This will be Miller's debut game with his former squad.

Bruins interim coach Joe Sacco ruled forward Mark Kastelic, who did participate in practice out for Saturday’s game against the Rangers at TD Garden. (MassLive)