They say that you want to be playing your best hockey going into the postseason. Well, the Boston Bruins haven't clinched a playoff berth yet, but improved their odds with a fourth straight win during a gauntlet that included wins over the Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, Columbus Blue Jackets, and now the Dallas Stars.
Looking for a fourth straight win over a team in a playoff spot, the Bruins scored four goals in the third period to beat the Stars at the TD Garden on Tuesday night. With the win, Boston finishes the month of March at 10-3-3 to put some separation between themselves and the Eastern Conference playoff cut line. Here are four takeaways from another home win for the Bruins.
Bruins put on a third period clinic
Tied 2-2 against a talented Stars team that is loaded with firepower, the Bruins put on a clinic in the third period on how to finish a game strong and secure two points. They got a goal from Elias Lindholm on the power play, 13 seconds into the period, to take the lead for good. Henri Jokiharju made it 4-2, and Viktor Arvidsson hit the open net with 3:37 left for the third goal of the period.
What was even better was the way they defended and forechecked. Through the first 17:41 of the period, they held Dallas to just two shots on Joonas Korpisalo. Hampus Lindholm took a tripping penalty with 2:19 left. Wyatt Johnston added a goal on the man advantage with 56 seconds left, but regardless, it was an impressive final 20 minutes that should make Marco Sturm very happy.
Henri Jokiharju's first goal as a Bruin was a game-winner
It has been nearly 13 months since the Bruins acquired Jokiharju from the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline in 2025. He was a rental after Brandon Carlo was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for the rest of the season. General manager Don Sweeney signed him to a contract over the summer, which surprised a lot of people.
He has been in and out of the lineup this season, but with Mason Lohrei dealing with an undisclosed upper-body injury, he has been in the lineup the last couple of games. He made his presence felt when he scored his first goal as a Bruin in the third period on a shot from the top of the slot for a 4-2 lead and turned out to be the game-winner. What a time for his first goal with the Black and Gold.
Joonas Korpisalo made some big saves when needed
The Bruins held a Dallas team with two 40-goal scorers to 16 shots on the net. It goes with the narrative with the third period clinic. It ended up being a defensive effort that makes them tough to play against, ask the Stars.
Korpsialo made just 13 saves, but his biggest was in the second period when he stopped Jason Robertson on a clear breakaway. If he doesn't make that save and Dallas takes a 3-2 lead into the third period, who knows what happens? It was a big effort after six days off for Korpisalo.
Viktor Arvidsson, have a night
Ok, so count me as someone who thought trading Viktor Arvidsson at the trade deadline because he is on an expiring contract was the move to make. Instead, Sweeney kept him, and it's turning into a great decision.
FROM DOWNTOWN FOR THE HATTY 👒 pic.twitter.com/P67xarc7Lg
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 1, 2026
He recorded a hat trick against the Stars. He tallied a goal late in the first period for a 2-0 lead. Then, in the third period, he added not one, but two empty-net goals to seal the win. Expect him to re-sign with the Bruins this summer.