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Pastrnak Hat Trick; Redemption Served In 8-1 Win: Bruins Report Card vs. Canadiens

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After a controversial 5-4 loss in Montreal November 5, the Boston Bruins sang a Redemption Song loud and clear Tuesday as they embarrassed their archrivals, beating the Montreal Canadiens 8-1. Like their team did figuratively on the ice,  Habs fans literally threw the towel in during the waning seconds of the game. This was the Bruins’ fourth straight win and extended their point streak to eight games.

The Bruins are now tied with Washington Capitals for first place in the Eastern Conference and lead the Florida Panthers by eight points for the top spot in the Atlantic Division and the Canadiens by ten points.

David Pastrnak’s second hat trick of the season padded his league-leading goal total to 23 goals; Brad Marchand hit the 600-point plateau with a goal and two assists; Charlie Coyle had the same stat line and David Krejci chipped in with two helpers filling in for the injured Patrice Bergeron on the ‘Perfection Line’ between Marchand and Pastrnak.

There were plenty more highlights from the Bruins’ biggest rout since January 19, 1974, when they won by an eight-goal margin. Here’s a look at that and why the Bruins continue to define the ‘Next Man Up’ mantra no matter who is out of the lineup.

 

 

 

Bruins Commitment To System Overcomes Lack Of Chances

The Bruins were outshot 13-8 in the first period and led 3-1; 14-7 in the second period and led 6-1 and were outshot 37-24 total but still won 8-1. There is no doubt Canadiens goalie Carey Price had a forgetful night allowing five goals on 11 shots, but the Bruins hustle and commitment to their system overcame their lack of chances. Boston went 2-for-2 on the powerplay and made every chance they got count. Here’s a look via NaturalStatTrack.com.

The Bruins relentless and opportunistic attack is a vital part of their success this season despite missing their best center for three of their last five games and why they have still found ways to win through numerous injuries. At any given time this month, the Bruins have been missing a minimum of five regulars in their lineups. By sticking to their system though, and with the benefit of so many versatile forwards, the B’s persevere.

Pasta Is Served Best In Hats

There weren’t many hats flying on the Bell Centre ice for the first Bruins hat trick in Montreal since former Bruins center Steve Kasper did the trick in 1987 at the old Montreal Forum, and first against the hated habs since 1988 when Cam Neely lit the lamp three times at the old Boston Garden. Pasta was served with a taste of black and gold Tuesday as Pastrnak padded his league-leading goal total to 23 lamplighters this season. The Bruins sniper scored another one-timer from his sweet spot but he continues to diversify and show that he can unleash his lethal shot from anywhere.

Pastrnak now has 23 goals in the Bruins’ first 24 games. The last NHL player to score more in that span was the great Mario Lemieux with 26 during the 1992-93 season.

Marchand Joins An Elite Bruins Group

With his 17th goal at 19:23 of the first period, giving the Bruins a 3-1 lead at the time, Marchand became the 11th Bruins player to reach the 600 point plateau, joining the likes of hall of famers Bobby Orr, Johnny Bucyk, Phil Esposito and Ray Bourque, as well as his teammate and center Tuesday, Krejci.

Marchand now has nine goals and ten assists in his last ten games and leads the Bruins in assists with 25 and points with 42.

Krejci Steps Up Again

The last time Bergeron’s nagging groin area injury kept him out, Krejci stepped into the top pivot spot between Marchand and Pastrnak and had three assists in two games. He also had two goals in 48 seconds to tie the game and set up the Bruins 5-4 comeback win in overtime over the Minnesota Wild Saturday. On Tuesday he delivered again, helping to set up Jake DeBrusk’s powerplay goal 8:03 into the first period and then Pastrnak’s third tally 9:06 into the second period. Krejci now has two goals and six assists in his last six games.

Coyle Gets Redemption

Since that goal that would’ve put the Bruins ahead 5-4 on November 5 in Montreal was called back, Coyle now has three goals and six assists in his last nine games. Thanks to Bergeron’s injury the Bruins forward has bounced from third line center to second line center, back to third line center and on Tuesday he rode the right wing with rookie Jack Studnicka and DeBrusk. He finished the game with a goal and two assists and continues to show his versatility.

Kuraly Another Example Of Bruins Depth

As a result of the Bergeron injury, Bruins forward Sean Kuraly stepped up into the third line center slot between Anders Bjork and Danton Heinen. The usual fourth line pivot delivered with three assists, assisting on a Bjork’s fourth of the season, Coyle’s goal and DeBrusk’s fifth of the season. Like Coyle, Kuraly once again provided head coach Bruce Cassidy with another option with Bergeron out.

 

 

 

 

 

Coyle on a mission (3g, 6a in his last 8 games)

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