It's been a difficult stretch of late as the Bruins have struggled to find secondary scoring — so much so that GM Don Sweeney admitted on Wednesday that a roster shake-up may be in order.
Sweeney wasted no time in doing so as forward Zach Senyshyn was recalled from Providence for just the third time since being drafted almost six years ago.
In fact, Thursday night's game against the Rangers marked the first time Senyshyn, Jake DeBrusk and Jakub Zboril -- the three players were drafted consecutively at 13th, 14th and 15th overall in 2015 -- all played in the same game for the black and gold.
Heading into Thursday's game, the Bruins' top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak had combined for 32 of the team's 64 goals and they continued to lead the way against the Rangers, with Pastrnak and Bergeron netting the first two goals of the game -- each off beautiful assists from Marchand.
Fortunately for the Bruins, slumping forwards David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk also contributed with goals of their own in a much needed offensive performance from the second line.
Here are three key takeaways from the Bruins' 4-0 win over the Rangers.
1. Marchand dazzles, passes Ken Hodge on Bruins' all-time scoring list
With a three-point performance, Brad Marchand increased his team-leading point total to 31 on the season (12 goals, 19 assists).
His first of three assists in the game put him at 675 career points, leap-frogging Ken Hodge on the franchise's all-time scoring list. Marchand would of course end the night with 677 career points.
What's appropriate is that Marchand did so while recording an assist in all three phases of the game -- even-strength, shorthanded and on the power play.
While his assist on Pastrnak's opening tally involved fancy edge work and a creative self-pass, his performance on Bergeron's shorthanded goal was simply jaw-dropping.
After retrieving a loose puck in the defensive zone, Marchand attacked the neutral zone with speed and moved laterally from left to right across the blue line as he recognized Pavel Buchnevich, a forward, was filling in on defense.
Marchand approached Buchnevich and utterly exposed him with a unique between the legs move before finding Bergeron with a perfect backhanded pass for a 2-0 lead.
Just another night at the office for No. 63.
2. DeBrusk responds with a complete game effort
Make no mistake, Bruce Cassidy didn't scratch Jake DeBrusk against the Islanders simply because he wasn't finding the scoresheet — scoring slumps happen.
DeBrusk was scratched because he wasn't giving the effort away from the puck that he was capable of doing.
Forechecking, backchecking, net-front presence and playing physical are all ways one can help their team on a game-by-game basis away from the score sheet. Ironically, it's these details that lead to scoring, especially when a player is in an offensive slump.
Thursday against the Rangers, DeBrusk was effective and engaged in all of the aforementioned areas of the game and it's no coincidence he was able to also find the back of the net.
From his first shift to his last, DeBrusk was all over in the ice in a positive way. His feet were constantly moving, attacking the net rather than staying on the perimeter and he was finishing checks.
DeBrusk's goal off of a beautiful feed from David Krejci — who scored his first goal of the season — was just the cherry on top of a complete game performance.
Hopefully DeBrusk and Krejci's individual success against the Rangers is a sign of offense to come as the Bruins desperately need them to continue producing.
The key, now, is consistency.
3. Senyshyn's speed gives fourth line a new dynamic
The most recent rendition of the Bruins' fourth line saw Jack Studnicka centering Sean Kuraly and Zach Senyshyn — a line that offers size and speed.
As an example of their speed, Senyshyn and Kuraly had three separate two-on-ones in the second period and although they failed to capitalize, it was a positive sign that they were able to consistently create scoring chances.
Senyshyn finished the game with three shots on goal in 11:46 of ice time, and was very noticeable in his season debut.
Though Senyshyn won't likely offer significant offensive production, at least right away, his speed and skill is certainly an upgrade over that of Chris Wagner and should continue to earn a spot in the lineup until proven otherwise.
While it's important for the Bruins to establish scoring lines beyond Bergeron, Marchand and Pastrnak, it's just as important to identify an effective fourth line.
Senyshyn showed himself well in his first opportunity this season on a new-look fourth line.
