Bruins Roll to Fifth Straight Victory

BOSTON - Sometimes the Hockey Gods are unequivocally on your side.
While the Bruins carried the play for large stretches on Tuesday night against the Wild, they were also the beneficiaries of some fortunate bounces - known to the common hockey folk as the all-important puck luck.
Boston's four goals came via a tip out front, a funky bounce off the end boards, a rarely seen chest deflection, and a redirect off a skate blade. Add them all up and it equated to a convincing 4-0 victory over Minnesota for the B's fifth straight win and eighth in the last 10 games.

"I mean, we got the bounces, but I thought we played really strong, especially in the beginning of the game," said Patrice Bergeron, who picked up a goal and two assists, giving him 12 points in the eight games since his return from injury. "We were on the puck, creating our chances…sometimes you do need that puck luck, but I think we worked for those chances as well."

Boston started early against the Wild, a team that was on the second end of a back-to-back, racing out to a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes. Danton Heinen got things started just 5:43 into the game with a tip of John Moore's point shot, before Brad Marchand (11:29) and Jake DeBrusk (19:15) cashed in with some fluky goals of their own.
"You could tell the way that the pucks were bouncing that this was going to be a good night for us," said Marchand, who scored after fighting through two defenders out front to corral Bergeron's shot off the boards. "It's fun when things bounce like that. It doesn't happen all the time, but it's good to get those bounces every now and again."
Bergeron capped the scoring with some of his own puck luck, when Marchand (goal, two assists) attempted a pass that clanked off Bergeron's skate and by Minnesota goalie Alex Stalock at 6:24 of the second.
"Obviously it's not always going to go in, those type of goals, but when it does you have to realize you have it coming sometimes and you have to stay with it and appreciate it," said Bergeron. "That being said, I think there's a lot of good things that happened before those goals to get them and to be in position…we'll take it and move forward."

Treasure Chest

DeBrusk still isn't quite sure what happened on his goal. As he positioned himself at the top of the crease for a potential tip with the Bruins on the power play, Bergeron floated a wrister towards the net from high in the offensive zone. DeBrusk debated whether to try deflecting the shot with his stick, but thought better of it considering the height the puck was traveling at.
Ultimately, DeBrusk opted to do nothing. A wise choice, indeed, as the puck ricocheted off the Spoked-B on the winger's sweater and over Stalock to give the Bruins a 3-0 lead with 45 seconds left in the first.
"It was a weird one. It was something I've never done before, so I didn't actually know how to react," said DeBrusk. "Usually I have really good celebrations, but at the same time, I think it was just one of those surprising things where it just went off my chest and in the net and it is what it is.
"I haven't taken one off the chest, so that's probably my favorite one of the season so far."

Tuukka Rolling

It was a night of milestones and accolades for Tuukka Rask, who secured his first shutout of the season and 42nd of his career with a solid 24-save performance. The victory was the 250th of his career, leaving him just three shy of being the winningest goalie in Bruins history.
"It's 250 wins….250 more to go, I guess," Rask, who has won four straight starts, said with a smile. "No…been lucky enough to be part of good teams and that's pretty much what it comes down to I think. Been fortunate to play here, so [I'm] happy."
Rask credited his teammates for putting their bodies on the line in the final minutes and blocking shots to help preserve the shutout, while also mentioning the team's strong defensive efforts of late. Boston has allowed two or fewer goals in four of five games during the winning streak.
"We've played great," said Rask,who has allowed just five goals over his four-game winning steak and after a slow start has surged into eighth in the NHL in goals against average (2.43).
"I think our team defense the past few games at least has been very good and I think it shows on the scoreboard and in points. The last two games, I don't think there's too many odd-man rushes at all.
"I think we're eliminating the offense of the opposing team very well and then getting rewarded in the other end, so that's a great sign - the way we want to play."
Jaroslav Halak, who remains fifth in GAA (2.36) and third in save percentage (.926), is likely to get the start on Thursday vs. Washington, which has won 13 straight against the Bruins.
"Tuukka's now earning - I don't want to say the net back. I don't think that's the appropriate term - but more starts. So, we'll see how he runs with it," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "Washington coming in is a little different. We haven't had much success against them, so we're leaning towards - I'll tell you flat out - Halak, because he hasn't started against them in a Bruins uniform…that would just be a switch and getting Jaro his games."

Wanting Moore

John Moore notched two assists, both in the first period, to help pace the Bruins in the early going. It was the blue liner's first multi-point game with Boston and matched his career high in assists (four times) and points (eight times).
Moore, who signed a five-year deal with the Bruins on July 1, now has four points (goal, three assists) in his last six games.
"I think coming to a new team and getting used to new structure, new teammates, I think it takes a little while," said Moore. "It took me a little longer than I had hoped, but I think I'm developing a lot of chemistry with Torey [Krug], we're getting a good feel for where each other is on the ice."
Krug and Moore have developed some instant chemistry since being paired during Charlie McAvoy's recent six-game absence. Krug also picked up two assists on Tuesday night.
"He's an elite puck-mover," said Moore. "He's one of the best players in terms of vision and passing in the game right now. It's really fun to watch him do his thing. For me, I just try to be solid defensively and make sure I'm giving him the puck whenever I can."

McAvoy Closer

Cassidy confirmed after the game what he mentioned as a possibility following morning skate: Charlie McAvoy, sidelined the last six games with a lower-body injury, is expected to skate with the team during Wednesday's practice.