Boston Bruins: Marchand Returns, Bs Dominate Rangers at MSG

After about 15 minutes, last night’s Boston Bruins game turned into a world class beatdown.  How did things go at MSG last night?

After hanging on the beat the Detroit Red Wings the night before, Brad Marchand returned last night from his suspension to reunite the best line in hockey.  In goal against the Rangers was Anton Khudobin, as streaking Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask played the night before.

On the bright stage of Madison Square Garden, the Bruins possibly played one of their better games of the season, and that’s saying something considering how great this season already has been.

1st Period:

Early in the period, Adam McQuaid and Cody McLeod dropped the gloves, and while neither landed any significant shots, it was still an enjoyable bout to watch between two heavyweights.  Right after the scrap, Zdeno Chara, who’s been a stalwart during this recent Bruins run, couldn’t handle the puck at center ice.  Rick Nash sped by the big man and fired a shot blocker side that beat Khudobin to give the Rangers a 1-0, exactly 5 minutes into the period.

The Bruins would respond quickly however, as Danton Heinen led the rush up the ice.  A David Backes shot forced a rebound from Henrik Lundquvist and the other R. Nash in the game, Riley of the Bruins, pounced on the loose puck and tied the game at 1.  That goal from Riley Nash is his 8th of the year and he is almost assured of breaking his career high of 10 goals in the 2013-14 season.

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The Rangers regained control of the game soon after and only after some absolutely stellar saves, Tim Thomas-esque, from Khudobin, kept the game tied at 1.  Late in the period, Bruins captain Chara atoned for his earlier misplay and unleashed a wicked wrister past Lundquvist to give the Bruins a 2-1 advantage after 20 minutes.

2nd Period:

The 2nd frame began with Khudobin again, having to make a couple of big saves to keep it a 1 goal game.  The Bruins would add to their lead shortly into the period as MVP candidate Patrice Bergeron took a shot from just inside the blue line that squeaked through Lundquvist’s pads to give the Bruins a 3-1 lead early in the period.  A few moments later, the Bruins continued to pile on as Tim Schaller deked out two Rangers defensemen and released a filthy shot to officially end Henrik Lundquvist’s night early.

In came Ondrej Pavelec for the Rangers, but it didn’t get any better for the blurshirts.  The Bruins would take a penalty after going up 4-1 and still maintained momentum.  The returning Marchand lead a shorthanded rush and set up Patrice Bergeron for a tap in shorthanded goal for a 5-1 lead exactly 10 minutes into the period.  Bergeron at that point now had 2 goals and was looking for his 3rd hat trick of the season.  The period thankfully ended for the Rangers and their fans with the home team down 5-1, and the Bruins in complete control with 20 minutes left in the game.

3rd Period:

With the result all but wrapped up, the Bruins needed a strong effort to put together one of the best games of their season.  After Marchand was stopped on a couple of chances, Sean Kuraly scored on Pavelec, his second goal in two nights, to finish off the 6 pack for an extremely impressive win 6-1.

Next: Bruins Bromance: Bergeron and Marchand

Short Shifts

• The Bruins are now 25-0-3 in games where they have had a 2 goal lead, proving that once they get the lead they rarely if ever lose it.
• I know the score was lopsided, but Khudobin made some huge saves in the 1st that could have swung the game for the Rangers.
• Next up, Buffalo on Saturday
• 37+63=100, that is all