Tuukka, Team Defense Lead B's Over Tampa

TAMPA BAY -On Mar. 1, the Bruins faced off with the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins in what Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy termed a measuring stick game.
"We talked about Pittsburgh last week being a measuring stick game," said Cassidy Saturday night. "They were playing well."
Battling the the Tampa By Lightning, the East's top team and the B's division rival, the circumstances were a bit different coming off a tough loss and with injuries mounting.

"I don't think we could have classified this as [a measuring stick game]," said Cassidy. "When you're playing down as many men as we were that are important guys, we were looking at it more of a bounce back game against a real good team."
The Bruins proceeded to dismantle the Atlantic Division-leading Lightning, winning by a 3-0 margin and limiting the dynamic Tampa offense to 23 shots.

"I think we answered the bell," said Cassidy. "Probably the biggest win in a long time. We've had some nice comebacks, we've had some high scoring affairs. Nice to get a zero in the column."
The shutout victory comes after the Bruins had allowed three or more goals in four consecutive games and in nine of the previous 10.
"Best defensive game in a while probably throughout the lineup," said goaltender Tuukka Rask after recording his 3rd shutout of the season. "Especially I think our D-core was fantastic today breaking pucks out and blocking shots, making plays.
"Forwards helped out coming back and shut down the slot area. Didn't get too many chances from there. Great example of when we put our minds into it, how good we can be and great game."

Cassidy was pleased with every facet of the Bruins defensive effort.
"The team defense was good," said Cassidy. "The rush coverage was good. I don't remember a lot of odd-man rushes or us sagging when we had opportunities to stay up. They really took it to heart from the other night that against good players, take away time and space."
Even the Bruins defenseman typically known for their offensive game made a big impact on keeping the Lightning's potent attack in check.
"Torey [Krug] is always going to get his numbers," said Cassidy. "But he's added to it five-on-five, as has Grizz [Matt Grzelcyk]. They're really playing hard, playing well."
Torey Krug assisted on all three Bruins goals to improve his season point total to 54.

Krug noted that the team defense is what ultimately powered the B's to victory.
"I think we're confident in everyone in this room," said Krug. "A lot of people think that our guys in our back end can't get the job done so for us to step up, it was a group effort. Everyone did their job blocking big shots and the PK was a big part of it. Tuukks [Tuukka Rask] did a hell of a job. Forwards deserve some credit as well, but everyone stepped up."
Forward Riley Nash, who notched the game's third goal, believes the victory marks one of the team's best all-around performances of the season.
"I thought that was probably one of our best complete 60 minutes," said Nash. "Top to bottom, goalie, D, forwards, everyone contributing. I said this in the second intermission, it felt like a playoff game. There was a lot of intensity, the crowd was into it. It was physical, it was a fun game to be a part of. Top to bottom I thought everyone was really good."
After watching the Bruins stifle the Lightning in all three zones, Rask spoke of what this type of game can mean for the team.
"I think it's a message to ourselves," said Rask. "That no matter how many guys we're missing or who is missing, if we put our minds into it, we can play solid hockey and I think that's the most important."

Backes Dodges Serious Injury

In just his third game back in the lineup after serving a three-game suspension, David Backes suffered a freak injury that forced him to leave the game after playing just 5:42.
Late in the first period, Backes drove the net and fell to the ice after a collision with a Lightning player. Yanni Gourde also fell, and his skate inadvertently cut David Backes on the right leg. Backes left the game and did not return.
Backes suffered a laceration above his right knee that required several stitches.
"I went in and saw him between periods," said Cassidy. "He's doing OK - simple explanation would be no structural damage. Obviously, there will be concern going forward about swelling or infection…
"It looks like he'll be OK and then from there I don't know, I don't have an update. We'll see how it is tomorrow. We'll classify him as day-to-day but other than that, I don't know if he'll be ready for Monday."
While his teammates were concerned with his injury, there was relief when they learned there would not be any serious ramifications.
"It's scary," said Krug. "It's tough to see one of your teammates and close friend go down like that. To see him run off the ice like he did, go get worked on really quickly, he's a tough guy so just glad he's feeling ok right now."
Despite his abbreviated outing, Backes was still able to have an impact on the game, scoring the Bruin's second goal on the power play.

Superb Special Teams

Faced with shutting down Tampa's daunting power play, the Bruins finished the night a perfect three-for-three on the penalty kill.
"[Tampa] is obviously one of the top PP units. We knew coming in here that we needed to hunker down a little bit more, be better. We watched video on it and kind of walked through things. I thought we did just a heck of a job. Our D were awesome. They blocked a ton of shots. We were able to kill all the penalties off,"
Entering Saturday's game, the Lightning ranked 2nd in the NHL with a 24% conversation rate on the man-advantage, behind only the Penguins (25.8%).
"[Penalty kill} for the most part did a good job, got a little more aggressive," said Cassidy. "So even that area too, [Steven] Stamkos is going to get his couple of looks usually and he did off the elbow but I think we kept it fairly clean."
On the power play, the B's were able to score the games second and third goals, finishing an efficient two-for-three.

"Power play obviously was immense too out there," said Nash. "Anytime you can score on that, it just makes everything a lot easier.
"Come playoff time," said Nash. "A lot of the games are decided as much as five-on-five but special teams."
Record For Rask: With the victory over Tampa, Rask reached the 30-win mark, boosting his record to 30-11-4.
"Thirty wins is pretty good," said Rask. "I always try to get there and fortunate enough to play on some good teams and then you'll be able to get those wins."
With the win, Rask became the first goaltender in Bruins history to record five 30-win seasons.