Kicking off a five-game road trip that begins with three games in four nights, the Bruins got off to a perfect start. With wins Friday against the Ducks, and Saturday against the Kings, the Bruins have won six of their last seven and now have points in 10 straight contests.

"I think as a team we're happy with where we are, but each game we want to improve and get better in a different part of it," Noel Acciari said Friday following the team’s 3-0 shutout of the Ducks. "We've been talking a lot about being strong defensively and the offense will come. Right now that's happening for us."

It was Acciari who got things going for the Bruins Friday night with his second goal of the season just 5:31 into the contest. It turned out to be the only goal the Bruins would need.

But Acciari was not the only fourth liner with a big night. Chris Wagner’s empty net goal sealed the win in his first game back in Anaheim since joining the Bruins this summer, and Sean Kuraly picked up a pair of assists in the win.

What was more impressive than the offensive outburst, was how well the trio performed against the Ducks top line of Rickard Rakell, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Unusual for a fourth line, head coach Bruce Cassidy has been comfortable with the trio being out there against other team’s top lines. So far, the line has rewarded Cassidy, who continues to show faith in the group.

“They wanted that matchup, obviously, so we'll gladly take it. They're a heavy line, big, big bodies,” said Cassidy. “So against our big bodies, I think that's a good matchup for us. We'll certainly use [Bergeron's line] against them at times if need be, but for the most part that's their assignment a lot of nights, especially if it's a bigger line. I thought they were very good again."

The fourth line wasn’t the only ones that led the Bruins to victory. Jaroslav Halak chipped in with another solid performance, this time stopping all 30 shots he saw for his fourth shutout of the year.

After a red-hot start to the season, Halak struggled in late December and in January. But in three February starts, Halak has gone 2-0-1 with a 1.27 goals-against average and a .962 save percentage.

“He's now two in a row," said Cassidy. “He had a real hot streak at the start, cooled off a little. A product of both those streaks is usually the team in front of you. You play well, you keep the net clear, the goalie's going to look good.”

Even though his cold streak to end 2018 lowered his numbers as a whole, Halak’s first season in Boston certainly has been an impressive one. He’s 15-9-4 with a .923 save percentage and a 2.35 goals-against average. Halak is fifth in the league in save percentage, fifth in goals-against average and fourth in shutouts.

Saturday night in Los Angeles was much of the same for the Bruins. Good goaltending, solid defense and timely scoring.

Making 23 stops, Tuukka Rask picked up his 19th win of the season. But of those 23 saves, Rask was forced to make a handful of big saves, none prettier than this:

Is this good, or no?@tuukkarask | #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/bOokm0sobR

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 17, 2019

Rask is playing the best hockey of his season, as he rides a personal 13-game points streak. Historically, Rask has been better as the year moves along. But with how well Halak has played for most of the season, the reduced workload for Rask has been very helpful.

“It's been great the whole year. When you don't get into those [periods of] playing eight or nine in a row, split the time and keep both of us fresh,” said Rask. “I think it helps and benefits the team. I think it's shown all year. Just trying to keep that going."

As I mentioned earlier this week, with David Pastrnak out of the lineup, the Bruins need someone to step up and chip in more consistently from an offensive standpoint. So far, in the three games without Pastrnak, it’s been Jake DeBrusk carrying the honors.

DeBrusk’s 17th goal of the season on Saturday was his third in as many games, DeBrusk also hit Charlie McAvoy with a beautiful pass that led to McAvoy’s game winning strike with 1:13 to go in regulation.



DeBrusk has six points in his last three games.

The Bruins will finish the California portion of their trip off Monday night in San Jose against the Sharks.

Don’t look now, but the Bruins are tied for the third most points in all of the National Hockey League.

Join the Discussion: » 4 Comments » Post New Comment

» The End of an Era?

» Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman in Game 7?

» Home Not So Sweet Home

» Bruins Depth On Full Display In Sunrise Sweep

» Bruins Drop Game 2 After Ugly Performance