Kuraly's Offense, Rask's Netminding Power Bruins to Victory

TORONTO - David Krejci opened the scoring and David Pastrnak notched the game-winning tally, but it was fourth-liner Sean Kuraly who stole the show in the Bruins 3-2 victory over the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday night.
Kuraly scored the second goal of the game to even the score late in the second period, while also notching the primary assists on both Krejci and Pastrnak's goals.
"We love it so much," said David Pastrnak of the success Kuraly and his linemates had against the Leafs. "They deserve every point they get on the stat sheet. They work really hard for each other and they've been playing good, really well together. Really happy for them."

The three-point night marks a single game career-high for the 25-year-old forward.
"I think a lot of good things for sure," said Kuraly of the effort. "I don't think you can say it any way other than that. Felt good for the most part. Used my linemates, played pretty downhill…They put me in a good spot and was lucky to be in a good spot and get it past him."

The trio of Wagner, Acciari and Kuraly was especially effective on the forecheck, as they were able to force a turnover and capitalize for the game-tying goal.
"Hard, straight lines, support one another," said head coach Bruce Cassidy of their play. "Not getting stuck at the blue line having to return to D-zone coverage and sort things out. You need secondary scoring to win. We talked about earlier in the year when we weren't winning, now we're getting it and we're getting the points. Good for them. They work hard. Well-liked by their teammates. Well respected and you want good things to happen for those guys offensively and they have recently."

While the fourth line was rewarded offensively, Cassidy lauded their ability to match up against top players on the opposing team.
"It was a big part of our team success last year was our ability for the line we had down in the lineup to be able to play against good lines every night," said Cassidy. "It saves wear and tear on Bergy [Patrice Bergeron], Krech [David Krejci], these guys that have played a lot of minutes in this league. So if there can be some nights in the middle of the year where those other guys can take those heavier responsibility minutes, only going to make them better, going to make them more dangerous offensively. Very important.
"I think you can ask any coach, if you have a line you can trust to play against good players every night, on the road, at home, doesn't matter, even still contribute to offense, you're probably going to be a winning hockey team."

Goaltender Tuukka Rask was among those who greatly appreciated the strong two-way performance from Kuraly and his line.
"It's great, I think he's been playing great," said goaltender Tuukka Rask. "The whole line has been playing great for a couple months now. Really getting rewarded now so it's great to see. They work extremely hard every day, every game. I think we're just happy for them to get that reward they deserve."
On the game winning goal, Kuraly used his speed to win a race to the puck in the offensive end. He then fired a perfect pass on the tape to Pastrnak, who fired home his 26th goal of the season to put the Bruins ahead for good.
"All I'm thinking really is get to the puck first," said Kuraly of the play. "Once I got to the puck first, I took a look and saw Pasta coming. It doesn't go through all the time. It went through a couple guys but thought I'd give it a try and I guess the risk is worth the reward on that one."

The victory closes the gap between the B's and Toronto to merely two points in the standings.
"I think it was two big points," said Kuraly. "There was no other way to look at it for us. Tonight we needed the points and it was a big game. I thought we got off the floor pretty well. They're a good team to so they pushed back pretty well…I thought it was good of us to hold them off and keep them out of the dangerous areas for the most part."

Rask Up to the Task

Kuraly in the fourth line may not have had the chance to play the heroes on Saturday night if not for the superb netminding from Tuukka Rask. The Finland-native turned aside 30 of 32 shots, including a number of grade A looks from the high-powered Leafs offense.
"We weren't very good in front of him there in the first," said Cassidy. "He had to make some really good saves around the net and then we broke down on the PP again with the breakaways. He gave us a chance to win there. He kept us in the game in the second period. We got a couple late ones. I thought in the third we were much better in front of him. Kept it clean for him for the most part.
"He does look like he's back to where he's on his game. He's under control. Doesn't seem to be getting rattled about anything. We're like everyone else, we need good goaltending to win. Good to see."
Rask's mindset is simply focus on the game at hand.
"it's good to get wins," said Rask. "One game at a time. Try to give your team a chance, ups and downs happen. Just go game by game. But I feel good."

After a strong few opening shifts in the first period, the Maple Leafs came at the net with a barrage of chances only to be turned aside by Rask.
"Obviously Tuukka came really strong for us," said Pastrnak. "Just stick with it. I think we actually the first couple shifts were the better team. Had more chances, but then they kind of took over the first period. Like I said, Tuukks was able to hang in there for us."
Over his previous five games, Rask has a goals against average of 1.4 and a save percentage .955, stopping 147 of 154 shots in that span. Rask has now climbed into the top ten in the NHL in both= GAA (2.41, 7th) and save percentage (.921, 10th).

Grizzy Stop

While Tuukka Rask was exceptional in keeping the Maple Leafs off the board in the first period, it was a save by a 5-foot-9 defenseman that stood out.
When a puck ricocheted off the end boards and straight to Kasperi Kappanen with a seemingly open cage, it was Matt Grzelcyk who laid his body on the line to make the stop. The Charlestown-native got a piece of the puck with his arm, keeping Toronto off the board. Now that the Bruins defense is fully healthy, Grzelcyk is one of the players battling to keep his spot in the lineup.
"He's a competitive guy," said Cassidy of Grzelcyk. "I think all the guys want to keep playing. Whatever you can do to help the team win. I think guys recognize that and they should. Like I said, we've got other guys ready to go here now. That has not been the case all year. We haven't had that luxury. Right now, we do."

Montreal Monday

The B's will get one day to recuperate before welcoming another division rival, the Montreal Canadiens, to Boston for Monday night game at TD Garden.
"It's four points to the standings but at the same time, we're going to enjoy tonight but we can't sit on it," said Pastrnak of the win over Toronto. "Just get ready for Montreal coming in our building, another good team who is behind us. Same thing, we just have to prepare the same way. Conference games are always a little bit special and special like Montreal and Toronto."