2. Brad Marchand
The Bruins leading goal-scorer got things going early in the game and then added insurance later in the game.
He opened the scoring in the first period when the Bruins top-line had a strong shift forechecking and it ended up with Patrice Bergeron getting the puck behind the net, finding a wide-open Marchy who lost his defender and he was able to roof a backhander over Capitals goalie Vitek Vanecek.
In the second period, he returned to the favor to his captain for an assist on a one-timer from the slot for a 3-0 lead. He finished off his night with his second goal on a great cross-ice pass from Grzelcyk.
Brad Marchand also got under the skin of the Caps and in the third period, was the center of attention of a scrum following a whistle and he even got a push from former teammate Zdeno Chara, who didn’t approve of Marchy’s actions.
1. Patrice Bergeron
It was one of those nights where a team looks to their leader and Patrice Bergeron is the B’s leader and his calming presence and leadership helped them stay on course in the victory.
After Carlo went down, his teammates were clearly angry, and rightfully so, no penalty was called. Instead of going headhunting, the Bruins let Wilson know what they thought of the hit and so did Bergy.
At the beginning of the second period, Bergeron was seen talking to Wilson, with Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin. It was a calm conversation, but the results were telling. Newcomer Jarred Tinordi stepped up and fought Wilson. Following the fight, the B’s scored three second-period goals and after his goal, Bergeron skated towards the Bruins penalty box and tapped his stick on the glass to his newest teammate in a show of appreciation.
It would have been easy for the B’s to get caught running around and taking liberties, instead, behind the claiming presence and leadership of Bergeron, they got the best possible revenge, a 5-1 blowout win, and two key points in the East Division standings.