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60-minute effort propels Bruins to fourth straight win |
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On a nightly basis, teams in the National Hockey League are in search of a 60-minute effort. When you get one, your chances of victory increase.
On Tuesday the Bruins put forth a complete 60-minute, earning their fourth straight victory, third since returning from their bye week.
‘I really liked everybody’s compete tonight, and I think we were the better team and were full value for the two points,” head coach Bruce Cassidy said. “I think this morning we were a little bit, I don’t know how to describe it, in a good place, in a good mood, good energy.”
The Bruins have plenty of reasons to be in a good place, in a good mood or have an extra boost of energy. Their 76 points only trails the Washington Capitals (77) in all of the NHL, and they sit five points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Atlantic division entering Wednesday night.
Whatever good vibes their carrying in practice, or off the ice, it’s translating into results.
Although the 4-0 final might show a lopsided Bruins victory, that wasn’t the case. The Bruins carried a 2-0 lead into the third period before goals by David Krejci and Karson Kuhlman sealed the deal.
A four-goal performance was nice and all, but it was the Bruins two-way game that shined. A solid two-way effort and 25 Tuukka Rask saves was all the Bruins needed to keep the talented Canucks off the board.
“I think that’s been a trend the last five or six games,” Cassidy added. “We’re taking a lot more value in that part of the game, and some of it is getting the balance in the lines so that they’re fresh, getting everyone involved.”
The game got off to an unusual start for the Bruins as Charlie Coyle banked home a Charlie McAvoy rebound, putting the Bruins up 1-0 in the first.
Vancouver challenged the call, claiming the Bruins were offsides. After seeing the reply, and knowing how challenges usually go the other way for the Bruins, it was a surprising call when the play was confirmed and deemed a good goal.
“I wasn’t sure actually,” said Sean Kuraly whose skate was in question as McAvoy carried the puck into the offensive zone.
“I looked at the iPad though and saw it before it was called that, that I was back offside. Charlie made a good play to not touch the puck when I was over the line, so heads up play by him turned into a goal.”
Speaking of Kuraly, Tuesday was arguably his best game of the season. Returning to the lineup after being a healthy scratch in Minnesota on Saturday, Kuraly finished Tuesday with an assist, four shots on goal and five hits.
Playing the wing alongside Coyle and Anders Bjork, Kuraly’s responsibilities were a little different than they usually are when Kuraly is centering the Bruins fourth line.
He delivered.
“I liked it a lot better. He had the puck, he was assertive, trying to get to the net,” Cassidy said of Kuraly’s night.
“I thought he got in shooting lanes. Sometimes freeing up and going to the wing allows you to do some of that; you’re not worried about what’s going on behind me or first back in the zone. It’s something we’ve talked about with Sean, do we toggle him, or try him over there? I thought it worked out well tonight for him and he showed the player he can be for us.”
It’s a quick turnaround for Kuraly and the Bruins as they travel to Chicago Wednesday night to take on the Blackhawks.
Boston Bruins Blogger • 
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