Krug's four points boost Bruins in win against Wild

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Torey Krug had two goals and two assists for the Boston Bruins in a 6-1 win against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday.

David Pastrnak had a goal and two assists for the Bruins (31-10-12), who defeated the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on Friday. Jaroslav Halak made 25 saves for Boston, which has won three games in a row and four of five.
"I think we're starting to realize the desperation it takes to win this time of year," Krug said. "It's going to be tough from here on out. It's important for us to come out and feel good about ourselves in Winnipeg and come into this game tonight and win a different style, but that's what you need to do this time of year."
WATCH: [All Bruins vs. Wild highlights]
Mats Zuccarello scored for Minnesota (23-22-6), which was playing its first game since Jan. 22, following their League-mandated five-day schedule break after the 2020 Honda NHL All-Star Game.
"I'd love to say positive stuff up here ... but when you play like that, in a situation where, boy, what a stepping stone it would've been to beat these guys with three more games coming this week, it's just very frustrating," Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said. "I'm having a hard time today talking about it."
Krug skated the puck through the slot and scored on his backhand to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead at 12:28 of the first period.

Boston scored three straight power-play goals in the second period.
"We weren't stubborn the last two games, and that's what I liked about [tonight]," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. "It was a little bit of … make the easy play, move the puck a little quicker. The other team doesn't know what you're going to do, so it may force them to open up some seams. Not forcing plays helps, you retain puck possession."
Krug scored the first with a wrist shot from the right face-off dot to make it 2-0 at 4:39.
Brad Marchand put Boston ahead 3-0 with a one-timer from the right face-off circle at 5:55.
Pastrnak scored to make it 4-0 at 15:29 when he got a loose puck in the bottom of the left circle. It was his 38th goal, one more than Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin for the NHL lead.

"I see it, obviously. I don't really think about it or anything," Pastrnak said. "It's a long season. We've got 30 games left. Ovi's heating up. Good for him. ... He's an unbelievable goal scorer, been in the League for so many years. I'm definitely not competing with him.
"We play a team sport, and that's what it is about. Scoring goals and making offensive plays, that's how I can help the team the most, and that's what I'm focusing on."
Zuccarello beat Halak from the right circle at 14:31 of the third period to make it 4-1.
Anders Bjork made it 5-1 at 18:02, and Jake DeBrusk scored a wide-open backdoor goal at 18:33 for the 6-1 final.

They said it

"Obviously, that would be really nice (to score 50 goals this season). I think I can do it. I work for it, work on the shot, keep playing the same way, just not overthink anything. Just trying to help my team. That's the way I help the most, so hopefully I can keep going." -- Bruins forward David Pastrnak
"It's not fun playing like that, getting embarrassed in your home building like that at any point. ... Tomorrow, we've got to go to work and use these next two days to really get ready for Tuesday (against the Chicago Blackhawks). And be strong because tonight wasn't good enough." -- Wild defenseman Matt Dumba

Need to know

Pastrnak has 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in the past 20 games. His 38 goals match his NHL career high, set last season in 66 games. ... The Bruins went 4-for-4 on the penalty kill after going 6-for-6 in the win against the Jets. ... Boston is 7-2-2 against Central Division teams and 12-3-3 against Western Conference opponents this season. ... Wild forward Eric Staal had an assist on Zuccarello's goal to extend his point streak to five games (one goal, five assists).

What's next

Bruins: Host the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; NESN, SNP, NHL.TV)
Wild: Host the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, NHL.TV)