Deja vu? Almost.
For the second time in as many games the Bruins clawed back from a 3-0 deficit against the Washington Capitals — this time flipping the script and earning a 5-3 win in regulation.
Here are some key takeaways from the game.
1. Chara lights the lamp
Though Zdeno Chara's departure from Boston was amicable, there's no doubt he wished to send the message to his former team that he still can play at a high level.
Chara did just that on Monday night in Washington.
While the Bruins started the game with energy, they quickly lost the early momentum after an interference penalty to Kevan Miller put Washington on the power play.
The rest of the first period Washington out-hustled the Bruins in all three zones, winning the majority puck battles.
As a result, the Bruins found themselves in a three goal deficit — in part thanks to Chara's slap-shot goal giving Washington a 1-0 lead.
For a while, the Bruins stopped checking with their legs and began reaching with their sticks.
Eleven seconds after Chara's opening strike, Capitals forward Daniel Sprong glided through the slot untouched, beating Jaroslav Halak.
Unfortunately for Chara, the Bruins were able to turn the tides in the second half and mount an impressive comeback victory.
2. Trent Frederic goes toe-to-toe with Tom Wilson
Trent Frederic plays every shift with effort, determination and agitation.
While the 22-year old forward strives to antagonize and instigate opponents, there is a vast difference between chirping P.K. Subban and dropping the gloves with Tom Wilson.
Listed at 6'4", 218 lbs, Wilson is one of the few heavyweight fighters in the NHL and Frederic held his own with the Washington power forward.
Frederic already had the respect of his Bruins teammates but now he'll have respect around the league, especially from Wilson.
Though David Pastrnak's tallies got momentum back on Boston's side, it's no coincidence the team finished off the comeback after Frederic's fight.
Stick taps all around for Frederic.
3. Pastrnak's two goals ignite comeback win
Since returning to the lineup, David Pastrnak has been Boston's best forward.
In his first game back, Pastrnak led Bruins forwards in time-on-ice while adding an assist and five shots on goal,
Monday night, Pastrnak continued his improvement by scoring his first two goals of the season and collecting a whopping seven shots on goal.
Furthermore, Pastrnak helped the top line find their swagger after being frustrated by Washington's checking line for the better part of two games.
Craig Smith, Brandon Carlo and Brad Marchand added the final three goals of the game to finish off an incredibly impressive comeback over the first place Capitals.
It was a tale of two games for the black and gold. Credit to the Bruins for improving their effort level as the game went on and props to Pastrnak for giving teammates hope they could salvage the two points.
