Boston Bruins: 3 takeaways from Bruins win over the Flyers

The Boston Bruins won their 5th straight game on Thursday night. When the B’s needed someone to step up, Brad Marchand came up clutch.

The Boston Bruins have been on fire as of late. Entering Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Bruins had won 4 straight games.

As of late their games haven’t been for the weak hearted. The Bruins last two games have made it to overtime with Brad Marchand becoming the best overtime player in the history of the NHL.

On Thursday night, Marchand’s late-game heroics continued. Cue the DJ Khaled Gif!

Brad Marchand is on a tear

Marchand has been playing some phenomenal hockey as of late. He continued his phenomenal play against the Flyers.

On the first goal of the game Marchand was able to leave his mark. Marchand was weaving between defenders and made the defense scramble. David Pastrnak then circled around the net. Pasta attempted a wraparound shot but the puck rang off the post. With the goaltender out of position Riley Nash was able to put the loose puck in the net. Without Marchand’s stickhandling in the zone the puck would have been sent out of the zone and a goal wouldn’t have been scored.

Then with the game tied late in the third period the Bruins were putting a ton of pressure on the Flyers. Zdeno Chara quickly launched a shot from the point and there was a scramble in front of the net for the loose puck. In the midst of the chaos Marchand was able to tap the puck in and win the game for the Bruins.

Marchand now has 29 goals and 38 assists this season. In his last 5 games “Marchy” has 5 goals and 4 assists. Marchand is having another dominant season. With the Bruins missing so many players Marchand is playing well when it counts.

Captain America’s first strike

Brian Gionta was able to get his first goal as a Bruin on Thursday night. It was pretty impressive as Gionta was able to show off his offensive skill when he got a breakaway opportunity late in the first period. As Gionta was going towards the net he made a quick move to his backhand and notched his first goal of the season.

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Gionta has performed well in his short time with the Bruins. He is making it easy for Bruins fans to love him as he always seems to be getting in the middle of scraps in front of the net.

Gionta is doing pretty well for a 39-year-old.

Rask steps up

Tuukka Rask had a bounce-back game. After taking a mini break, Rask came out and made some big saves throughout the game. In the first period he helped to keep the Bruins in the game with his efforts. Rask ended the night with 31 saves.

Tuukka did allow a cheap goal early in the second period. Rask easily could have made the save, but it went through his five-hole. These types of goals need to stop, especially with the playoffs inching closer. The Bruins need Rask playing his best in order to make a run for the cup.

Next: The resurgence of Mookie Betts

The Boston Bruins next matchup is against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. Hopefully, they will be able to come away with an easy win against a Blackhawks team who is having a terrible season.