Lately, the Bruins have done a good job of following up a tough loss with a good win. They did just that in Winnipeg Friday night before they finish their road trip in Montreal Monday.
“We don’t like losing. I think our guys are usually ready to go the next night. I thought our first period was OK coming off a day off. They had good jump. We kind of battled back after a few early chances and really found our footing in the second period,… head coach Bruce Cassidy said.
"That's a credit to the guys in the room for keeping their composure and upping their game when they needed to."
Without Patrice Bergeron for the second consecutive game due to an arm infection, the Bruins needed someone to step up down the middle.
Enter Charlie Coyle.
“I mean, everyone’s got to do their part. You want to take as much responsibility as you can and make sure you kind of fill in the gap,… said Coyle who finished the night with three assists.
“It’s a tough gap to fill. No one can replace a guy of his caliber, but together it’s a joint effort and everyone’s gonna do their part, and I thought we did it for the most part.…
It doesn’t sound like Bergeron will be in Montreal on Monday meaning Jack Studnicka will get another look in the lineup. Cassidy was pleased with Studnicka’s performance Friday.
“We're not gonna lean on Jack for everything, but he's gonna get his minutes,… Cassidy said. "He was playing in different situations. Good for him, playing with good players, did his job well and should get another opportunity in Montreal. We'll see how Bergy's doing. But I was happy for him."
The Bruins jumped out to a 2-0 lead on second period goals by Brad Marchand and Trent Frederic, but the Bruins took their foot off the gas, allowing the Jets to tie things up on two quick third period goals, a little over a minute apart.
Taylor Hall’s power play goal gave the Bruins the lead back once again and Charlie McAvoy’s empty-net goal—technically a shorthanded tally—secured the win for the Bruins, their seventh in their last 10.
“We pride ourselves on our special teams and it ended up being the difference after they tied it,… Cassidy said. We were able to capitalize on a power-play and they weren’t. There were a few cracks on the penalty kill early. They were able to make a few plays into the seam and into the bumper. We adjusted on it and did a better job of taking those away.…
The Bruins avoided potential disaster after David Pastrnak left the game in the first period. On an awkward exchange with goalie Linus Ullmark, Pastrnak fell into the end boards, grabbing his torso as he got off the ice.
Thankfully, Pastrnak returned for the second period and played the remainder of the contest.