After having two games postponed, the Bruins were back in action Wednesday in New York to battle the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
There was a bit of everything — including Tuukka Rask vacating the Bruins goal with the game tied in the final minute of regulation.
Other than that, Rask was once again outstanding, stopping 33 of the 35 shots he faced and putting the Bruins in position to win in overtime, which they did when Charlie McAvoy broke up a two-on-one and sprung Brad Marchand on a game-winning breakaway.
Here are three key takeaways from the Bruins' 3-2 win in the Big Apple.
1. Penalty kill comes through again
Though the Bruins continue to prove that their play improves as games go on, their habit of slow starts must be broken.
In all fairness, there may have been rust from having their last two games postponed.
Nonetheless, six shots on goal and soft coverage around their net led to another deficit to come back from.
Fortunately for the Bruins, their second-ranked penalty kill got them back into the game, thanks to a shorthanded goal off the stick of Chris Wagner.
Wagner did well to block a shot at the right point before skating the puck down ice, eventually finding the back of the net on a nice backhand-to-forehand deke.
Having a great power play is a luxury not a necessity — but for long-term success, a great penalty kill is absolutely a necessity.
2. Jake DeBrusk effective in return
Having missed four games due to injury, Jake DeBrusk returned to the Bruins lineup and looked better than he did to start the season.
DeBrusk was energetic and looking to score on every shift as evident by his team-leading seven shots on goal in 14:08 of ice time.
In the third period it looked as though DeBrusk had the go ahead goal but it was determined the puck didn't completely cross the goal line.
Despite the disappointment of not scoring a goal of his own, DeBrusk shook it off and assisted on Anders Bjork's third-period tally.
It was an encouraging performance from No. 74 and hopefully he can build off a strong effort.
3. McAvoy, Marchand spring Bruins to victory
It certainly wasn't the prettiest of games and it won't satisfy those who want the Bruins to win more in regulation, but a win is a win.
It's always important for the best players to perform when the game is on the line and that's exactly what Charlie McAvoy and Brad Marchand did 36 seconds into overtime.
Moments after having a chance to end the game in tight, Marchand tripped in front of the Rangers' goal, leading to a two-on-one for the Blueshirts.
Ordinarily that would be a problem, but not when McAvoy is the lone defender.
McAvoy was able to anticipate a Rangers saucer pass and bat it out of the air before springing a still recovering Marchand.
Marchand had a breakaway from the blue line and made no mistake as he went forehand, to backhand, back to his forehand for the overtime winner.
