BOSTON — The Bruins defeated the New York Rangers 3-0 on Thursday night at TD Garden to extend their win streak to five games.
Boston won five in a row earlier in the season from Oct. 30 through Nov. 10, but the current streak is more impressive because it includes victories over three of the top teams in the Eastern Conference — the Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Rangers.
Here are three quick takeaways from Bruins-Rangers.
1. Typical Patrice Bergeron Shift Gives Bruins Early Lead
Boston opened the scoring when center Patrice Bergeron won an attacking-zone faceoff and scored on a rebound at the four-minute mark of the first period. It was Bergeron’s fourth goal in the last six games and his 11th overall, which puts him one behind linemate Brad Marchand for the team lead.
2. Torey Krug Extends Point Streak
Bruins defenseman Torey Krug picked up an assist on David Krejci’s second-period goal to extend his point streak to five games, which ties his career high. He has seven assists during the streak.
Krug was able to find Krejci with a beautiful shot-pass that fooled the Rangers and gave the veteran center a wide open look at the net from the edge of the crease.
Krug also picked up an assist on Loui Eriksson’s third-period goal to tie him with Dougie Hamilton for the team lead in scoring among defensemen (23 points).
3. Tuukka Rask Puts on a Show
Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask made 30 saves for his second shutout of the season. He hasn’t lost in regulation since Dec. 19, a span of 10 starts during which he’s 7-0-3.
Rask stopped two partial breakaways in the first period and also helped the Bruins go 3-for-3 on the penalty kill by making nine shorthanded saves.
