Completing their home-and-home set with the Penguins Friday night in Pittsburgh, the Bruins hoped to build upon Wednesday’s shutout and continue their winning ways. Behind three third period goals, the Bruins extended their point streak to five straight and 13 of their last 14.

The Bruins outscored the Penguins 9-2 in the two contests as the Penguins fall to 0-3 since promoting Mike Sullivan to head coach. In Friday’s matchup, the Bruins used shorthanded, power play and even strength goals to lead them to a 6-2 victory. Here are a few things that we learned in Pittsburgh as the Bruins moved within three points of the Montreal Canadiens — with two games in hand — for first place in the Atlantic Division.

Big night for UMass Alumni

Playing in just his second career National Hockey League game, Melrose, Mass, native and UMass-Amherst alumni Conor Sheary was promoted to the Pens’ top line alongside Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby. Thanks to a nice play by Crosby behind the Bruins net, the first overall pick of the 2005 Draft made sure the 23-year old wouldn’t forget this one as he notched his first career NHL goal against the team he grew up watching.

But it was another former Minuteman who stole the show.

Rookie Frank Vatrano scored three times in the win for his first career NHL hat trick and the first by a Bruins rookie since Blake Wheeler, who scored three against the Toronto Maple Leafs in November of 2008. Vatrano scored twice in a three-minute span in the third period to complete the hat trick.

In 17 games since being called up by the Bruins, Vatrano has five goals.

Bruins and Penguins trade quick goals

Just 8:20 into the game, Sheary struck with his first of the year. Less than two minutes later it was Vatrano’s turn.

Sixty-three seconds into the middle frame, Bergeron joined in on the fun with a shorthanded tally. The 2-1 lead lasted a whole 1:36 as Trevor Daley scored his first as a Penguin. The goal from the former Blackhawk was the final piece of rubber the Penguins would get past Tuukka Rask.

Point streak continues for Rask

When was the last time the Bruins failed to pick up a point in a Tuukka Rask start? Just over a month ago in the Bruins 5-4 loss to the San Jose Sharks on November 17th at TD Garden.

In Rask’s last 10 starts the Bruins have picked up 18 points and now sit within striking distance of the Canadiens. After a slow start, Rask is surely back to his Vezina-winning form as he has gone 8-0-2 in his last 10 games to go along with a .959 save percentage and a 1.42 goals-against average.

Eriksson stays hot on power play

The Bruins power play has been great all season long. You can thank Loui Eriksson for being a big part of that. Eriksson scored his team-leading seventh power play goal Friday night. The former Star is on pace to pass his career high in power play goals at 10. A free-agent to be this summer, Eriksson, who has 12 total goals this season, is making a pretty good case for a nice little payday come July.

Helpers aplenty for Ryan Spooner

Picking up an assist on four of the Bruins six goals, Spooner set a career high for both points and assists in Friday’s win. After a slow start to the season, Spooner has heated up of late. The 23-year-old forward has points in five of his last six as he has scored three times and chipped in seven assists during that span.

But what was more impressive to head coach Claude Julien than his four-point night was Spooner’s willingness to drop the gloves with Patric Hornqvist after a hit on Dennis Seidenberg.

“Everybody recognized who it was that dropped the gloves. I think he did a great thing,” Julien told reporters after the win. “He showed his teammates he’s going to be there for them, so I didn’t mind that penalty to be honest with you.”