Talking points from the Bruins' victory over the Maple Leafs. . .
GOLD STAR: Brad Marchand hasn’t always been at his best with his partner-in-crime Patrice Bergeron out of the lineup and hasn’t really been on a goal-scoring binge in a while. But Marchand reminded everybody why he’s still a formidable player of his own right on Saturday night when he piled up three assists and consistently made plays in the offensive zone to help the Bruins finish with six goals. Marchand finished with the three helpers and a plus-2 rating, and had six shot attempts in 20:16 of ice time while throwing a couple of hits and blocking a shot as well. Marchand had four giveaways while trying to force plays at times, but some of that is going to be a byproduct of the plays that he actually does make leading to offense. Marchand was the best player on the ice for either team and it showed in the final score.
BLACK EYE: It wouldn’t be surprising if Zach Hyman hears from the NHL Department of Player Safety after throwing a late, high hit on Charlie McAvoy in the third period of a game that was a 6-1 score at the time. It was totally unnecessary coming seconds after he’d already released the puck, and it was in a time and place where there was no play to be made at all. Instead, Hyman was throwing a big hit at a player in just his second game back from a concussion that pushed him out for 20 games, and clearly targeting somebody that would be a big blow to the Bruins if he came up injured once again. Hyman ended up with 20 minutes of penalties after throwing down with Matt Grzelcyk following the play, and he probably deserves a little supplemental discipline as well.
TURNING POINT: For the Bruins, it goes all the way back to getting out of the first period with a 1-0 lead based on two things. One was obviously the goal scored by Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson on a nice pass by David Pastrnak, and then a good play by the rookie to crash hard at the net and follow his own shot for a second-effort goal. The second was the play of Jaroslav Halak, who made 11 saves in the first period and turned away a couple of very good Toronto scoring bids to allow the Bruins to hold a lead headed into the first intermission. The Bruins scored two goals in the second period while outshooting Toronto 15-9 and were off and running at that point. So the first period was a crucial period in the game for both teams.
HONORABLE MENTION: Danton Heinen played arguably his best game of the season to date, and it was a long time coming. Heinen snapped a 12-game scoring drought with his goal in the third period that extended Boston’s lead to 4-0, and finished up with a goal, two points and a plus-1 rating to go along with four shots on net and six shot attempts overall. Heinen was really been stuck in neutral offensively all season, so perhaps getting set free on a rush to the net by a really nice Ryan Donato pass will build some offensive confidence back in his game. He showed last season he’s a far better player than a guy sitting with three goals in almost 30 games, so now it’s time for Heinen to start showing it a little bit more.
BY THE NUMBERS: 30 – the number of penalty minutes for Matt Grzelcyk, who fought Zach Hyman and got a second game misconduct for not having his jersey properly tucked/snapped in when he dropped the gloves. It was immediately over his shoulder and shrouding his entire head.
Boston Bruins
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I think we played two decent periods in Tampa and we really carried it over. We did a good job. Especially when guys are sticking up for each other, you get really excited about that. It’s one of those wins that can really bring a group together.” –Torey Krug on a big 6-3 win over the Maple Leafs where the Bruins scored, battled and played some damn entertaining hockey.
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