For the second time in just the last 23 games, the Boston Bruins have won back-to-back games.
Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, the Bruins bounced back from dropping a 3-2 overtime decision at home to the Philadelphia Flyers with a 4-2 victory. Fourth-eight hours later, the Black and Gold collected their second win on their three-game road trip by beating the Washington Capitals, 4-2, for their 21st victory of the season.
For the fourth consecutive game, Boston collected points in the East Division standings and for the third time in four games, they left the arena with two points.
For the second straight game, Boston also gained points in the standings on the two teams that are chasing them. The Flyers lost in a shootout, 3-2, to the New York Islanders, while the New York Rangers fell seven points behind the Bruins for the fourth and final playoff berth after losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-2, at Madison Square Garden.
Boston played the game without the services of defensemen Charlie McAvoy for the second consecutive game. Earlier Thursday, coach Bruce Cassidy said his young blueliner was back in Boston, but feeling better. He will miss the final game of the road trip back in Philadelphia Saturday afternoon.
Charlie McAvoy is back in Boston. Feeling better but out tonight.
— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) April 8, 2021
Getting wins and piling up the points without McAvoy is key for the Bruins. Boston currently has two games in hand on the Flyers and Rangers. Six points behind the Penguins for third place, Boston has three games in hand on them. Of the 19 remaining games for the Bruins, six are against the Buffalo Sabres.
This recent run of success is also happening right before the trade deadline, which is 3 o’clock Monday afternoon. Time for some big decision to be made by general manger Don Sweeney.