Oct 8, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Chris Kelly (23) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal on Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (not pictured) during the third period at TD Banknorth Garden. The Boston Bruins won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Bruins took on the Philadelphia Flyers at the TD Garden tonight. There were still a lot of questions about the Bruins final roster. There were choices made by the organization in the last few days that really rankled the fan base, and the Black and Gold needed a win to help silence some of those critics.
If you watched the game, you know it wasn’t the cleanest win in the history of the Bruins, but it still counts for two points at the end of the night.
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Chris Kelly was the unlikely hero of the night in Boston. Kelly was able to beat the Flyers’ Michael Del Zotto in a puck battle in front of their crease. Kells got the biscuit and served it hot and fresh past Steven Mason’s mitt and into the oven for a 2-1 win. Kelly had three hits, a blocked shot, and a takeaway, and tonight he earned the First Star of the Game for his performance.
Patrice Bergeron was his usual near perfect self. Bergeron tallied an assist on the Smith goal, and finished with a +1. He led the Bruins in the face off circle, winning 78% of his draws. He had a blocked shot, made three of his own, and spent two minutes in the box for holding Matt Read. (He should have gotten another two for tripping Claude Giroux, but that went to Loui Eriksson.) Bergeron was awarded Second Star of the Game honors tonight.
Bruins captain Zdeno Chara led the special teams tonight. Big Z spent four and a half of his twenty one minutes either on the power play or the penalty kill. Special teams did their part for the Black and Gold tonight, going 1 for 2 on the power play, and three for three on the penalty kill.
Tuukka Rask stopped nineteen of twenty(.950%) in his first win of the season.
Brad Marchand showed an extra spring in his step as he played tonight with a chip on his shoulder over his beef with local media over their desire to see him gone during the offseason. He had a blocked shot, a solid takeaway, and earned himself a two minute penalty for giving Brayden Schenn a shot as the clock expired.
Puck Prose
While many people have been against (a few being down right offensive) Bobby Robins making the team, he finally broke through that glass ceiling and played his first career NHL game(in his five hundred game professional career). He got into a fight in his first NHL game (sort of as expected), and easily handled Luke Schenn.
Robins led all players in penalty minutes (seven), and hits (five). He wasn’t terrible for the seven minutes he spent on the ice tonight. It appears that Claude Julien has won the first round of the ‘grit vs skill’ battle with the front office in Boston.
Bruins forward Daniel Paille played his 500th career NHL game tonight.
The Bruins will have no time to rest on their laurels as their off to Joe Louis Arena to take on the Detroit Red Wings tomorrow night.