Johnny Boychuk, Reilly Smith, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron brought the Bruins’ win streak to 12 games Saturday night. Credit: Getty Images
Those who have called the Bruins’ recent win streak somewhat fraudulent should now check themselves.
After piling up 10-straight wins against mostly lowly opponents, the B’s legitimized their month of March dominance with two first-class road wins over the weekend by beating the Avalanche, 2-0, and the Coyotes, 4-2. Both Colorado and Phoenix will more than likely be participating in the Western Conference playoffs, a conference widely considered superior to the East.
With those weekend victories, the Bruins extended their streak to 12 games and have a chance to kick it up another notch Monday night at home against the rival Canadiens (7:30 p.m., NBCSN). Prior to Friday and Saturday’s victories, the B’s signature win during the streak was beating the Habs in Montreal, 4-1, on March 12. That win snapped the Bruins’ other notable streak in their five-game losing skid to the Canadiens. Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask, who allowed just one goal on 36 shots against the Canadiens that night, summed up the Bruins’ “never satisfied” mindset nicely that evening.
“I don’t care,” Rask said about ending the Canadiens’ streak. “I felt good against them but I think I still have that losing record against them, so I’ve got to win some more games.”
Paramount to the Bruins’ current win streak still has to be sending a message to the likes of Montreal. The Habs (39-26-7) are currently seeded fourth in the Eastern Conference playoff picture (Boston, at 49-17-5, is slated first) and could certainly meet the B’s in the latter stages of this year’s playoffs.
On the streak: The NHL record for a win streak was set in the 1992-93 season by Mario Lemieux’s Pittsburgh Penguins at 17 games. The B’s will have their work cut out for them if they want to tie or break that mark as they face the Habs, Blackhawks, Capitals and Flyers in the next seven days. Of note, the longest NHL undefeated streak was set by the 1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers, who were not beaten in a remarkable 35 games (25 wins, 10 ties).
