After the blowout victory by the Capitals last week, where the Caps tallied 8 goals against the ailing Bruins, handing them a beat down before heading into the trade deadline.
Smith was the only Bruin to pot a goal in this one, while Vladar struggled against the caps star studded offense. The Bruins were without Mcavoy, Grzelcyk, Carlo, Rask, Halak, and plenty other key players.
On deadline day, Bruins traded for three solid players in Taylor Hall, Curtis Lazar, and Mike Reilly. In their first games in black and gold they contributed significantly. Hall, playing the team that just traded him, paved way for a goal by Craig Smith, who is on an absolute tear right now. Lazar provided a much needed spark for the fourth line, while Reilly provided increased speed and transition for the defense.
Smith and Krejci both scored in regulation, as well as Rasmus Dahlin and Colin Miller for the Sabres. Swayman came up big in OT and the shootout, as both Coyle and Debrusk potted two goals to secure the much needed victory.
Coming into Thursday’s game against the Islanders, who the Bruins had yet to beat this season, Tuukka Rask was set to make his return. With the Flyers and red hot Rangers trailing right behind in the standings, the Bruins had to turn their play up another notch.
The B’s were full of energy in the first period, generating a surplus of 23 shots on goal. Mike Reilly ripped a shot from the point grazing off of Marchand’s back and into the net. Reilly secures his first point as a Bruin to make it 1-0 Bruins.
With 2 minutes left Craig Smith rips home a feed from Krejci to stay red hot, to make it 2-0 Bruins after 1. In the 2nd period the Bruins cooled off, playing sloppy on defense and allowing high danger chances. Zajac gets his first as an Islander, 2-1 Bruins heading into the 3rd.
Just 2 minutes into the 3rd, Pastrnak feeds a pass to a streaking Hall who beats the defense and rips it five hole. Taylor Hall gets his first for the black and gold, without a doubt a confidence builder. 3-1 Bruins.
From that goal on, Tuukka Rask and the Bruins shutout the Isles on all fronts with Marchand sealing the deal with an empty netter. Bruins win 4-1. Rask secures his 300th career win and the B’s keep their distance from the Flyers and Rangers.
The B’s take on the Islanders once again with puck drop at 7pm on Friday.
**PHOTO VIA JOHN TLUMACKI/BOSTON GLOBE**