Top 10 Games Countdown: No. 2

BostonBruins.com - The Bruins needed to get back on track.
After three straight losses to start their homestand, piled on top of not having beaten Washington at TD Garden since 2014, the Black & Gold knew they had an opportunity to head into the Christmas break on a high.
With all of that in mind, they made the most of the showdown of - at that point of the season - the top two teams in the National Hockey League. Boston surged to a four-goal lead with a stellar opening period en route to a 7-4 victory on Dec. 23.

Patrice Bergeron scored twice, while David Krejci added three points (goal, two assists) as the Bruins - who had lost eight of nine entering the night - pulled within 4 points of the Capitals for the top spot in the NHL.
"Tonight's game going into the break has been a long time coming," said
Brad Marchand
, who broke a 12-game goal-less stretch with a first-period marker. "We've been losing games we deserve to win and just seemed like every bounce has been going against us, every mistake we make was kind of ending up in our net. That's good to have the bounces go the other way tonight and good feeling going into the break."

Notable Quotes

Marchand on the B's rough patch:"We're not even halfway through the year, we're at 53 points in and sitting at a pretty good spot. I think a lot of people are making a lot of noise outside of the room that was blowing it a bit out of proportion…we're not panicking here. We're going to take the time to regroup.It's always a fun time of year to spend with your family and friends…we'll enjoy it for sure."
Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy on the team's fast start: "It's the difference in the game, clearly…it'd been a while since we were in the winner circle here. You put all those things together…a good Washington team that's had our number, and then going into the break - even though you're going to separate yourself from hockey for three days, it's still your last game. You'd like it to be a good memory."
Charlie Coyle after potting his 100th career goal:"It's a good team over there and we were in a desperate need of a win. We came out right out of the gates and we got one early on and kept the momentum going…Marchand had a nice read and blocked the play and I just tried to keep up and then finish."

By The Numbers

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
No. 7 | Bruins 2, Blackhawks 1:
McAvoy's First Lifts B's to OT Win in Chicago
No. 6 | Bruins 2, Flyers 0:
Rask Notches 50th Career Shutout as B's Cool Flyers
No. 5 | Bruins 8, Canadiens 1:
Pastrnak Picks Up Hat Trick As B's Thrash Habs
No. 4 | Bruins 2, Lightning 1:
DeBrusk Grabs Winner as B's Top Tampa
No. 3 | Bruins 3, Lightning 5:
Tempers Flare as B's, Lightning Square Off