BOSTON, MA- The Boston Bruins picked up their sixth straight win as they bested the Arizona Coyotes 4-2. Captain Zdeno Chara was honored pregame in an emotional tribute for playing in over 1,000 games with Boston, something only six Bruins have ever done.
Zdeno Chara, playing in his 1,009th game as a member of the Boston Bruins was given a picture, an all-expenses-paid trip to anywhere he chooses, a gold stick and an awesome painting of himself by the team. Chara joined Ray Borque, John Bucyk, Patrice Bergeron, Don Sweeney, and Wayne Cashman as just the sixth Bruin in history to play 1,000 games with the team, something he did on January 13th in Philadelphia. Chara has played each game as the Bruins captain. All smiles postgame, Chara said “It means everything. This is my home,” when asked what playing in over 1,000 games for Boston means for him.
Bruins honor Zdeno Chara before today’s game.
Chara is just the 6th Bruin all time to play 1,000 games with the team.
B’s gave Chara a picture, an all expenses paid trip to anywhere he chooses, a gold stick and an awesome painting of himself #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/ayf6rE8Uef
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) February 8, 2020
Coming out in their alternate third jersey in which they are now 4-1-2 in, the Bruins struggled in the first period. Goalie Tuukka Rask had an incredible save, robbing Arizona of an early goal.
Rask with a huge stop early on #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/RJsZJeT0Tr
— Jamie Gatlin (@JamieGatlin1217) February 8, 2020
A major penalty assessed to Jeremy Lauzon at the end of the first period for an elbow to the head gave the Coyotes five minutes of powerplay time. Four minutes and forty seconds of that powerplay time coming at the start of the second period. The penalty proved to be costly, as the Coyotes would add a powerplay goal thanks to Phil Kessel’s 12th goal of the season.
Jeremy Lauzon, what are you doing, kid?
Major penalty for the Bruins with still 4:40 of the powerplay left to begin the second period for Arizona. 0-0 end of 1. #NHLBruins | #Yotes pic.twitter.com/jCkGqSmhXA
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) February 8, 2020
Shortly after Arizona’s goal, Boston would add one of their own. At 6:50 in the second period, Charlie Coyle netted his 11th goal of the season, with David Krejci and the other Charlie, Charlie McAvoy assisting on the play.
Charlie Coyle is a baaaad man.
Coyle’s 11th goal of the season gets the #NHLBruins on the board. Tied 1-1 midway through the second. pic.twitter.com/kALAK1sMgg
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) February 8, 2020 play.
In the second period, the Bruins powerplay would reign supreme. Coyle’s goal opened up the scoring as Patrice Bergeron netted his 23rd goal of the season on the powerplay thanks to an interference penalty on Arizona’s Brad Richardson. Niklas Hjalmarsson would then shortly be called for hooking, and the Bruins would go on another powerplay. Just 22 seconds in, the Bruins would score again, thanks to Jake DeBrusk.
With his 18th goal of the season on the powerplay, DeBrusk added his fifth goal in just the last five games.
Jake DeBrusk now has 4 goals in his last 5 games.
This PPG gave DeBrusk his 18th goal on the season. Bruins lead 3-1. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/JhZwLMxFPR
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) February 8, 2020
The third period started in Arizona’s favor as Jakob Chychrun scored his 11th goal of the season, getting his wrister past Rask. The Bruins lead would shorten to 3-2, but the Bruins dominated on defense the rest of the way. The Coyotes would not score the rest of the evening as the Bruins won their sixth consecutive game.
Charlie Coyle added an empty netter in the final minute, giving him his 12th goal of the season and his second of the night. The Bruins have now won 16 consecutive games against the Coyotes, the record for most wins over any opponent by the franchise.
“I feel really good. It’s nice to see things pan out,” said Coyle postgame. Coyle expressed that he likes where the Bruins are at right now, but as always, there’s a lot to improve on. The Anders Bjork, Coyle line has played tremendous as of late, having a goal in 6 of the last 8 games. “I love playing with Bjork. He works. He’s a dog out there. That’s what we want to keep building on.”
The Bruins improve to 34-10-12 on the season, the best record in the NHL, and will look for their 7th consecutive victory on Sunday in Detroit at 12:30PM (on NBC, NESN).
This article was written by Jordan Moore. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Hate mail? Let him hear it on Twitter @iJordanMoore, Instagram @iJordanMoore, or via email at jordancmoore19@gmail.com.
