Somehow, some way, the Boston Bruins just keep winning.
The B’s beat the Chicago Blackhawks 7-4 at TD Garden on Saturday, polishing off a rugged homestand that saw them go a perfect 6-0-0. In addition to the Blackhawks, Boston topped the Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers. And sure, teams like the Habs and the Hawks are having down seasons — but would you ever take them lightly?
Boston’s six-game winning streak is especially impressive when you consider who has — and hasn’t — been in the lineup.
Center Patrice Bergeron has been sidelined with a fractured foot since late February. Yet Riley Nash has made a seamless transition to the top line, picking up three goals and five assists during the homestand. Bergeron’s absence also paved the way for newcomer Brian Gionta, who logged two goals and four assists over his first five games in black and gold.
And then there’s the injury to rookie defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who suffered an MCL sprain against the Canadiens.
McAvoy’s tantalizing skill set on the blue line can’t be replaced by anyone on the roster. But his injury has created more minutes for veterans like Adam McQuaid and Nick Holden, the latter of whom was acquired from the New York Rangers in deal before the NHL trade deadline.
Holden showcased impressive vision during his time on the ice, racking up four assists in four games. McQuaid, meanwhile, continued to provide discipline, leadership and physicality.
All of this is a long way of saying that the Bruins, for all their talent and mix of young and old, suddenly also have one of the deepest rosters in the NHL. Is there another team in the league that could rattle off a perfect six-game stretch at home without arguably their most important offensive and defensive players?
Perhaps, but there’s no denying that something special is going on at TD Garden.
Here are some other notes from Bruins-Blackhawks:
Boston’s power play finally appears to have come out of its funk.
Speaking of Bergeron, the injured center reportedly is making some progress.
The Bruins now are 5-3-0 in eight games since facing the Blackhawks in the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals.
