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Bruins continue winning ways with victory over Jets |
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Ty Anderson
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Entering Monday’s head-to-head with the Jets riding an eight-game point streak (5-0-3), you would’ve thought that last month’s loss in Winnipeg would’ve felt like ancient history to the Bruins. But, instead, the Bruins used that 5-1 defeat in Winnipeg as the motivation they needed to carry ‘em to yet another big-time victory on TD Garden ice to push their point streak to nine games.
“They embarrassed us the last time we were in Winnipeg,” Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery admitted after the win. “We have a lot of proud guys that represent the Bruins for a long time in a real good way. I think the opportunity to get back at them was something that was motivating today.
“I think it’s just part of the culture here. We want to try to win or split every series against the West. It’s big. You’re always gaining points on somebody that way.”
The Bruins kicked things off with yet another goal from their new-look third line with Jakub Lauko to the left of Trent Frederic and Morgan Geekie, and it was Lauko who buried a feed from Frederic for his second goal of the season and his second strike in the last three games.
The goal, which came as a result of a downright monstrous shift from the trio, extended Lauko’s point streak to a career-high three games.
I see someone that is winning more one-on-one battles consistently, I see someone supporting pucks and just going,” Montgomery said of Lauko's recent strides. “I don't see any hesitation in his game right now. So you see him get on top of pucks that are chipped out and he's got it, and he's putting it in areas or carrying it and hanging on to it. So I just see a more confident hockey player.”
Knotted up at 1-1 following Vladdy Namestnikov’s tip through Jeremy Swayman, the Bruins retook the lead before the end of the opening frame thanks to a Charlie Coyle tip on a Hampus Lindholm point shot with 1:34 remaining in the period.
With the goal, Coyle established a new Bruins career-high, with 17 goals through 46 games this year.
The Bruins then weathered a third-period push from the Jets, and were led by Swayman’s 11-for-11 line in the final frame, and got a boost from Jake DeBrusk’s shorthanded marker that extended the Black and Gold’s lead to two and by all means put the Jets to bed.
Everything else
- DeBrusk’s shorthanded goal was his second career shortie, and continued the undeniable heat-up for DeBrusk, who now has eight goals and 14 points over his last 14 outings.
- A game-high six hits and an assist for Morgan Geekie in this one. Geekie is now up to 23 points on the year, and is just five away from matching last year’s career high.
- A move that may have flown under the radar this past weekend was the B’s converting Parker Wotherspoon’s emergency recall to a regular recall. This means that the Bruins would need to place Wotherspoon on waivers should they decide to send him back down to Providence. Given the way Wotherspoon has played this season, that’s not happening. He’ll have to by all means play his way out of the Black and Gold’s NHL lineup for that to happen. So, say hello to your new full-time No. 7 D.
Up next: The Bruins will welcome the Hurricanes to Boston for a Wednesday night showdown at TD Garden. Puck drop for that one is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST.