After once again calling out his bottom-six forwards for lack of production and energy, Bruce Cassidy shuffled around the third and fourth lines ahead of Tuesday’s rematch with the Penguins.
In a 3-1 bounce-back win for the Bruins, the bottom two lines played with energy, while the top two lines handled the scoring, highlighted by a beautiful goal by Taylor Hall in the third period.
Tuukka Rask was also solid between the pipes, stopping 25 of 26 shots in the victory. Here are three key takeaways from the game:
1. Krejci breaks the ice
After nearly 100 minutes of being unable to score, the Bruins offense finally cashed in against the Penguins nearing the end of the second period.
For the majority of the game, Pittsburgh’s speed really hindered Boston’s transition game from defense to offense. With time winding down in the second period, Charlie McAvoy found a way to counter the Penguins’ forecheck and it led directly to offense.
Collecting a pass from Tuukka Rask deep in the defensive zone, McAvoy used his elite skating ability to move up ice and back off all five Penguins. Just before the offensive blueline, McAvoy slid a pass over to David Krejci who executed a nice one-on-one move on Pittsburgh defender Mike Matheson before scoring on the backhand for a 1-0 lead.
Oftentimes the key to countering an aggressive forecheck is to skate it out of trouble rather than moving the puck to flat-footed wingers. That’s exactly what McAvoy did leading up to the Krejci goal.
2. Top line brings their “A” game
It was a massive game for the Bruins and they needed their big guns to show up. Challenge accepted for the top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. While it wasn’t an offensive clinic as they often execute, the top line was in sync all game long, combining for 14 shots on goal, and had their feet moving at all times.
Their hard work paid off in the third period when Marchand added an all-important insurance goal to give the Bruins a two-goal lead.
After an effective breakout pass from Matt Grzelcyk to Curtiz Lazar, who then moved it to Pastrnak, Marchand ended up with the puck at the top of the right circle and ripped a high shot towards Tristian Jarry. Pastrnak batted at an initial rebound that Marchand eventually netted.
What was notable about this goal was the strong net drive by both Marchand and Pastrnak following Marchand’s initial shot. Hard-nosed hockey is winning hockey.
3. Taylor Hall goes vintage
It’s not a stretch to say that behind Marchand, Taylor Hall has been one of the better Bruins forwards since being traded to Boston at the deadline.
Since arriving in Boston, Hall has seven points (four goals, three assists) in nine games. Aside from scoring, Hall has made confident plays with the puck and has made a concerted effort to play a strong 200-foot game -- evident by some highlight backchecks in recent games.
With the Bruins leading the Penguins 2-0 in the third period of Tuesday night’s game, Hall went vintage and yet again showcased what made him a first overall draft selection.
After receiving a breakout pass from Mike Reilly, Hall carried the puck through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone where he went on to score a dazzling goal for a 3-0 lead.
Similar to David Pastrnak’s goal last week in Buffalo, Hall cut left to right at the top of the circles -- flipping the puck to himself over Sidney Crosby’s stick nonetheless -- and rifled a wrist shot top shelf. It was an absolute thing of beauty for the newly acquired winger and is further evidence that his confidence is back after a rough season with the Sabres.