Bruins find redemption, earn strong win against the Sabres.

Dec 21, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers (57) exchange words during the second period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Bruins keep finding new ways to win. It’s part of their hallmark as a NHL team. Injuries? Well, that’s no problem. Let’s call up the AHL squad. The Bruins made up for their 4-2 loss in Buffalo with a 4-1 win at home.  The team made the big plays all night, and Brad Marchand may have ended up with a new nickname. Marchand was battered all night by making right plays and blocking important shots. The Little Ball of Hate can now be known as the Bionic Bruin.

The AHL players went out of their way to make players for their big brothers tonight. A big stick tap for Ryan Spooner tonight. The young Providence Bruin has been making an exceptional case for himself ever since he came up on an emergency call. It’s a shame he’ll have to go back to Providence before ten games. If Miller was a likely prospect to be poached by other NHL teams, Spooner would be a definite great grab.

When the big Seguin trade happened last Independence Day, a lot of Bruins fans thought Loui Eriksson was the big catch in the trade. As Eriksson has been battling concussions this season, the name Reilly Smith gains more and more stock in the Bruins organization. Smith put in two more goals tonight for the Black and Gold tonight. He’s now second in goals(11), assists(14), and overall points (25). He’s becoming the big bear in the little rink.

Tonight was also a great night of opposites. Milan Lucic is known as a big fighter and Patrice Bergeron is known as a cool and collected goal scorer. Well, not tonight. Lucic was a solid presence in all three zones, and he earned goal number twelve for the season in the third period. Patrice Bergeron earned five for fighting in a rare tilt for him. He and Tyler Ennis had a go deep in the second period. If you missed it here it is:(Boston Bruins)

The Bruins hit the fifty point plateau not quite halfway through the season. They’re still on top of the Atlantic and are continuing to find success despite a deeply diminished roster.