Finally, the Bruins' play seems to be picking up. Claude Julien's hot seat may get a little cooler, Tyler Randell scored two goals in two games, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci had three-point games, and Brad Marchand scored a shorthanded goal in his first game back from a concussion. Oh, and Tuukka Rask got his first win of the season. So without further ado, let's break down the action:
HIGHLIGHTS
Rookie Randell scored 2nd goal in 2 games
HIGHLIGHTS
Rookie Randell scored 2nd goal in 2 games
Tyler Randell skates in his first NHL game. Photo credit: Angela Spagna, Bruins Daily
When Tyler Randell tied the game at one during the second period, he became the first Bruin to score two goals in his first two NHL games since Dmitri Kvartalnov accomplished the feat in 1992. A lazy neutral zone pass combined with an awkward line change cleared the way for David Krejci to rush back into the offensive zone and pass the puck to Randell, who quickly backhanded the puck past Coyotes goalie Mike Smith for his second NHL goal.
Extraordinary Special Teams are Major Factor in Bruins Win
The Bruins went 3-for-6 on the power play against Arizona and scored a shorthanded goal to go with a 3-for-4 penalty kill. Patrice Bergeron in particular was incredible on special teams, scoring both of his two goals on the power play as well as tallying an assist on Brad Marchand's shorthanded goal. Speaking of which . . .
Marchand Scores a Beauty
​Brad Marchand gave the Bruins a 3-1 lead on what looked like an innocuous clearance from a team on the penalty kill. After Michael Stone failed to block a clearance pass from Tommy Cross in an attempt to keep the puck in the offensive zone, Marchand got the puck on his stick and continued into the offensive zone on a breakaway. After stickhandling the puck a few times, Marchand switched the puck from his forehand to his backhand and flicked it over the pads of a prone Mike Smith.
Shane Doan Proves Me Wrong
In my preview for this game, I labeled Shane Doan as a player who was "coming down to Earth", citing his seemingly diminished role and abysmal possession numbers. Then, of course, Shane Doan comes out with a three-point performance, scoring an unassisted goal by banging the puck into the net through a wild swarm of players in front of the net, then assisting on Tobias Rieder's power play goal (which ruined the Bruins' perfect penalty kill during the game), and Kyle Chipchura's goal at even strength which tied the game at three.
Rask Gets First Win, Denies Rieder
Tuukka Rask saved 20 of 23 shots for the win and highlighted his performance with an incredible stick save against Tobias Rieder after Rieder was set up by rookie forward Anthony Duclair on an odd-man rush, as seen here:
Extraordinary Special Teams are Major Factor in Bruins Win
The Bruins went 3-for-6 on the power play against Arizona and scored a shorthanded goal to go with a 3-for-4 penalty kill. Patrice Bergeron in particular was incredible on special teams, scoring both of his two goals on the power play as well as tallying an assist on Brad Marchand's shorthanded goal. Speaking of which . . .
Marchand Scores a Beauty
​Brad Marchand gave the Bruins a 3-1 lead on what looked like an innocuous clearance from a team on the penalty kill. After Michael Stone failed to block a clearance pass from Tommy Cross in an attempt to keep the puck in the offensive zone, Marchand got the puck on his stick and continued into the offensive zone on a breakaway. After stickhandling the puck a few times, Marchand switched the puck from his forehand to his backhand and flicked it over the pads of a prone Mike Smith.
Shane Doan Proves Me Wrong
In my preview for this game, I labeled Shane Doan as a player who was "coming down to Earth", citing his seemingly diminished role and abysmal possession numbers. Then, of course, Shane Doan comes out with a three-point performance, scoring an unassisted goal by banging the puck into the net through a wild swarm of players in front of the net, then assisting on Tobias Rieder's power play goal (which ruined the Bruins' perfect penalty kill during the game), and Kyle Chipchura's goal at even strength which tied the game at three.
Rask Gets First Win, Denies Rieder
Tuukka Rask saved 20 of 23 shots for the win and highlighted his performance with an incredible stick save against Tobias Rieder after Rieder was set up by rookie forward Anthony Duclair on an odd-man rush, as seen here:
Miller Hospitalizes Vitale
Early in the second period, a shoving match behind the net resulted in B's rearguard Kevan Miller fighting fourth-line grinder Joe Vitale. The end result was not good for Vitale. That result was him getting sent to the hospital and sustaining an upper-body injury. If you watch the video, you'll notice Vitale going limp after the final punch.
THREE STARS OF THE BRUINS
A segment to honor the top three Bruins performers during the game.
Early in the second period, a shoving match behind the net resulted in B's rearguard Kevan Miller fighting fourth-line grinder Joe Vitale. The end result was not good for Vitale. That result was him getting sent to the hospital and sustaining an upper-body injury. If you watch the video, you'll notice Vitale going limp after the final punch.
THREE STARS OF THE BRUINS
A segment to honor the top three Bruins performers during the game.
- Patrice Bergeron - What, delivering two goals (including the game-winner) and an assist isn't enough for you?
- David Krejci - A goal and two assists (including the assist on Bergeron's game-winner) cements his spot at second.
- Tyler Randell - Two goals and two games is pretty damn good from an erstwhile AHL enforcer.