What we learned: Bruins win on father time in Carolina
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Perhaps the Bruins should bring their fathers with them to every game — both at home and on the road.
Following a big win against the Penguins on Wednesday, the Bruins followed up with an equally impressive 4-1 triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes Friday night in Raleigh. The victory keeps the Bruins even with the Lightning for second place in the Atlantic Division with Sunday’s matchup looming.
Here are a few thins that we learned from Friday’s win.
Bruins getting money’s worth with Beleskey
Signing a 5-year deal worth $3.9 million in the off-season, Matt Beleskey is making the most of his opportunity in his first season with the Black and Gold. Sure, he hasn’t lit the lamp consistently, but Beleskey is one of the hardest working Bruins out there.
His work is paying off in the stat sheet as of late, too. With a pair of tallies on Friday, Beleskey now has five goals in his last four games. With 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) in 60 games, the former Duck has already matched his career high which he set last season in 65 games.
With the growing chemistry between Beleskey, Ryan Spooner — who assisted on Beleskey’s second goal in the third period — and Jimmy Hayes — who provided assistance with his physical play along the boards — Boston’s third line is starting to come together.
Beleskey was on the ice for a chance at a hat trick late in the third, but Brad Marchand was the one to score the empty netter to seal the victory. Marchand’s expression when he saw Beleskey during the celebration said it all.
Tuukka being Tuukka
For the second consecutive game, Tuukka Rask saw 40 shots on goal fired his way. He’s been up to the task on both occasions.
Two nights after notching a season-high 41 saves against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, Rask was just as impressive on the road against a desperate Hurricanes squad. The 2014 Vezina winner stopped 39 shots — including 17 in the third period — and stood on his head during Carolina’s late surge to try to even the score.
Still, the shots allowed is an indication that the Bruins still need help on defense. As good as Rask is, he’s only hoping that GM Don Sweeney can upgrade the B’s blue-line as we approach 48 hours until the trade deadline.
Eriksson watch getting more intriguing by the minute
The price to acquire Loui Eriksson just got a little more expensive thanks to another transaction made by the Chicago Blackhawks. On Friday, Hawks GM Stan Bowman acquired Dale Weise and Tomas Fleischmann from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Phillip Danault and a 2018 second round draft pick. This move came just 24 hours after Chicago acquired Andrew Ladd from the Winnipeg Jets.
Clearly, the Blackhawks are gearing for a chance to repeat as Stanley Cup champions — something that no NHL team has accomplished since the Red Wings won back-to-back in ’97 and ’98 — and the teams looking to dethrone them out West are taking notice. They can help their own cause by acquiring Eriksson, but at what price would they be willing to pay for a potential rental?
Our own James Murphy tweeted a couple of nuggets surrounding a potential trade partner with Eriksson and the status of the contract negotiations between the former Dallas Star and the Black and Gold on a new contract.
Per reliable source, if Blues want Loui Eriksson from Bruins, asking price is likely a first round pick & prospect Dmitrij Jaškin. #Bruins
— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) February 26, 2016
There is even greater sentiment around the NHL today that the Bruins and Loui Eriksson will reach an agreement on a new contract. #Bruins — Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) February 26, 2016
The rumors surrounding Eriksson are going to get that much more intriguing now that he’s one of the top names — if not the top — left on the block.