Secondary Scoring Provides a Boost

BOSTON - For a team already struggling to generate a surplus of offense, the loss of its leading scorer is far from ideal.
Through 56 games this season, David Pastrnak was pacing the Bruins with 66 points and 31 goals as he charged through a career campaign. Thus, the news on Tuesday morning that the 22-year-old would miss at least the next two weeks following a thumb procedure - the result of a fall after a team function on Sunday night - was a devastating blow.
And with the Chicago Blackhawks coming to town riding seven straight victories, the expectation was that goals could be at a premium.
Not so much.

The Bruins instead received a massive boost from their secondary scoring en route to a 6-3 thumping of Chicago at TD Garden.
"We got results tonight. The buy-in," said Bruce Cassidy, who secured his 100th win with the Bruins in his 166th game, becoming the second-fastest coach in B's history to accomplish the feat behind Tom Johnson (138 games).
"We focused on getting pucks and people in [the slot]. We did a real good job with that, especially the second period. The goalie made some terrific saves, but we stuck with it and eventually did get rewarded."

Perhaps the most encouraging part of the night was the play of young wingers Danton Heinen and Jake DeBrusk, who in recent weeks have struggled to find their way offensively as they battle through the dreaded sophomore slump. On this night, however, they combined for 6 points (two goals, four assists) and helped lead the Bruins' best offensive effort in over a month.
"We're going to need contributions from everybody with Pasta going down there for a bit," said Brad Marchand, who contributed a 4-point night of his own with a goal and three assists. "Heinen was unreal tonight, made a lot of big plays. Jake was very clutch tonight as well, so great games by them.
"It's fun to see them play like that and add some much-needed depth to our group. Heinen has been great the last little bit, so we need that to continue."
Heinen's three-point output gave him 6 points (three goals, three assists) in his last four games since a promotion to Boston's first line to play alongside Marchand and Patrice Bergeron (two assists vs. Chicago), as Cassidy attempted to lengthen his lineup.
"I think I'm just trying to think less now, not put too much pressure on myself," said Heinen, who now has nine goals and 10 assists on the year. "It's obviously an honor to play with those guys, and it's a great opportunity. I think my mindset is not to try to look for them all the time, too much, or try not to get away from just playing on instincts."

It would not be hard to argue that it was Heinen's best performance of the season - and, perhaps, the standout game of his Black & Gold career. In 14:28 of ice time, the 23-year-old was immense in all three zones, while landing three shots on net, including his clean-up tally from the top of the crease that gave the Bruins a 3-1 lead late in the first.
The British Columbia native also delivered two highlight-reel assists - both across his body through the slot, first on Marchand's first-period goal and then on Peter Cehlarik's power-play tally in the third.
"He certainly has, right?" Cassidy said of Heinen taking advantage of his opportunity to play with the B's top line. "I think one of the goals he was in on the forecheck, broke up the play, so it wasn't like he was just cruising around out there and he was the benefactor.
"I think he understands that he's been given a nice opportunity here, and he's going to the dirty areas for that line, getting rewarded, making plays around there.
"Good for him. I'm happy for him. He's a good kid, he works hard. He's a pro."
Cassidy was also quite pleased for DeBrusk, who like Heinen tied a career high with three points, including his first goal since Jan. 8 - a span of 13 games. The tally came just as a second-period power play expired, with DeBrusk tipping home a David Krejci slap pass from the doorstep to extend Boston's lead to 4-1 with 1:54 remaining in the middle frame.
"It's something that's long overdue and something that I needed, to be honest with you," said DeBrusk, whose tally was his 15th of the season. "Obviously didn't do my normal celly, but it was just nice to get on the board to help the team."

The 22-year-old winger also picked up an assist on Krejci's first goal, which tied the game at 1 with 5:13 left in the opening period, before adding a second helper on Krejci's second of the night in the final minutes.
"First period there he cut off the wing, something we hadn't seen much in a while, went to the net," said Cassidy. "He's a streaky guy. He's still young, so I think it affects him mentally if you're not on the scoresheet. I think, hopefully, it's a sign of more, but we'll see."
DeBrusk, a natural goal scorer during the entirety of his hockey career, admitted to being frustrated in recent weeks with the puck staying out of the net. But something clicked on Tuesday night, with the winger saying, "just tried to play hockey and have fun with it no matter what happened."
A fine approach, indeed, as DeBrusk landed a game-high five shots on goal in 15:18 of ice time and played with his patented jump and speed.
"It actually got to me a little bit, but at the same time I understood that there are peaks and valleys to your seasons and that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," said DeBrusk. "And when you get through it, it's going to be a lot of fun and hopefully I've gotten through that.
"Obviously, going into the next game - it's a different game don't get me wrong - but for the first time in a while I'm feeling good right now."
With Pastrnak out for the foreseeable future, the Bruins hope their pair of young wingers feel that way for the duration.