Top 10 Games Countdown: No. 7

Our look back at the top 10 games of the 2019-20 season is presented by Mimecast.
BostonBruins.com - Charlie McAvoy didn't know what hit him.
As he cruised past the net after potting the winning tally, McAvoy found himself looking up at the United Center rafters. Jake DeBrusk had taken him down.
It was a tackle meant for the gridiron. But this one was all done with love.
While McAvoy's winner - at 1:19 of overtime - lifted the Bruins to a 2-1 victory over the Blackhawks on Feb. 5, it also marked the young blue liner's first goal of the season in his 52nd game.

"That was awesome," said McAvoy. "We're such a close group and I could feel everyone's genuine happiness for me. We all share that with each other whenever anybody does good things. That was special. Gave a lot of guys hugs after the game."

The goal, which lifted Boston to its fifth straight win, also opened the flood gates for McAvoy, who totaled five goals over his next 16 games before the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 67 games during his third full NHL season, the 22-year-old has matched his career high with 32 points.
"I think he's just playing lots of minutes, playing to his strengths," said head coach Bruce Cassidy. "Getting up the ice when he can. I liked his first assist [against Vancouver on Feb. 4] with the shot because it was quick, it's on the net with traffic. He had a couple chances [Wednesday night] to shoot and he looked back door.
"At the end of the day he's a good player for us - matchup every night. The offense will come and maybe [the past two games] is a start of that a little bit more."

Notable Quotes

Torey Krug on McAvoy's first goal:"I know just from talking with him he was getting a little anxious about it. That's natural and to be expected, but he hasn't let it affect what he does for us the rest of the way as far as being a great defenseman for this team and shutting down other teams' top lines and moving the puck and doing everything else well."
McAvoy on his feeling when the goal went in: "Relief. It was a heck of a play by JD and just really simple for me, I was just trying to go to the back post and what a pass. He put it right on my stick, the rest is history."
McAvoy on the team's chemistry:"Our group is very special and we're already very close. Some of these games, when you have those emotional [games] - the game against Winnipeg and a night like [this] where stuff is back and forth, you start to come even closer together and you share in those moments. Things feel good right now, so we just have to keep it going."

By The Numbers

• The win gave the Bruins 78 points, which led the National Hockey League.
• Boston had won five games in a row, including all four since returning from the bye week.
• The Bruins had outscored their opponents, 14-4, in the four games since the bye week.

Video: BOS@CHI: DeBrusk feeds McAvoy for OT winner

The Countdown

No. 10 | Bruins 4, Islanders 0:
Hometown Boy McAvoy Lifts Bruins on Long Island
No. 9 | Bruins 2, Hurricanes 0:
Halak Picks Up Shutout in 500th Career Game
No. 8 | Bruins 4, Ducks 2:
Pastrnak Makes History with Four-Goal Game vs. Ducks