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Boston Bruins Need To Keep The Momentum Going

By Mike Cratty

Mar 13, 2017; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (63) celebrates his goal against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller (not pictured) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Boston Bruins won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (63) celebrates his goal against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller (not pictured) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Boston Bruins won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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After capturing another important two points against the Florida Panthers, the Boston Bruins will need to keep the ball rolling.

The Boston Bruins beat the Florida Panthers by a score of 5-2 on a snowy Saturday afternoon in Boston for their fourth win in a row. The Bruins are fighting for position in the Atlantic Division with a record of 42-30-6 and 90 points. Things will not get any easier going forward, starting with traveling to Chicago to take on the streaking Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. Not only will this weekend include two games, it will include back-to-back matinee games.

Noel Acciari, who has really stepped up as of late, scored his second of the season and his career after being hooked by Panthers defenseman Jakub Kindl. Patrice Bergeron hit the 20-goal mark for the eighth time in his NHL career with the second goal of the game and the empty-net goal that sealed the deal. Not to mention, Brad Marchand is now just one goal away from the first 40-goal season of his NHL career. David Krejci had the other goal out the five for the Bruins, number 23 on the year. Tuukka Rask made 24 saves on 26 shots in the win. Reto Berra was in net for the Panthers, with Roberto Luongo and James Reimer both injured. It wasn’t the best effort for the Bruins, but a win came out of it. A win that they will look to build on.

Former Bruins enforcer, Shawn Thornton, played his last game in Boston. He expressed his appreciation for the city, was in the starting lineup and was named the third star of the game. Shawn Thornton is a class act and will always be remembered in Boston. The right winger on the merlot line truly made his mark.

Tough schedule ahead

Following yesterday’s game, the Bruins have four games in the next seven days. Anton Khudobin will be in net against the Chicago Blackhawks. Two days later, the Tampa Bay Lightning come to town, followed by the Ottawa Senators. The always tough Washington Capitals will look to test the Bruins one more time in the last game of the regular season. The playoff feel will certainly be present as the Bruins work to trek back into the playoffs.

The Blackhawks and the Bruins have only met once this year, ending with a 1-0 victory at United Center for the Hawks. Anton Khudobin will be in net for the Bruins in order to give Tuukka Rask some rest after some great performances in net as of late.

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The Lightning and Bruins will meet for the fifth time, looking to take four out of five meetings with their Atlantic Division foe. The Lightning’s only win against the Bruins came recently in a 6-3 victory that left a lot of people frustrated. The Bolts have won seven of their last 10 games.

The Ottawa Senators have given the Bruins fits all year, winning all three meetings thus far this season. A win in the final game of the season against a team like the Senators would really send a message from the Bruins perspective. Ottawa is currently on a three-game losing streak, so keep that in mind as the final matchup of the season gets closer and closer.

The Washington Capitals never make it easy for the Bruins and are a realistic possible playoff opponent. In the last game of the regular season, the Capitals come to Boston and will look to further their success against the Bruins. Washington has the upper hand in the season series, with wins in both games.

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Fortunately for the Bruins, their last three games, after today’s matchup with the Blackhawks, will all be at home. TD Garden has been friendly to the Bruins as of late, as the team has three straight wins at home. Points are at a premium, and the Bruins are looking for all of them that they can get in their quest for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

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