(Photo Credit: Michael Dwyer/AP Photo)

By: Tom Calautti | Follow me on Twitter @TCalauttis and Linktree

The Boston Bruins extended their winning streak to five games as they outlasted the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 in a Monday showdown at TD Garden. After an uninspired loss to the Jets in December, the Black and Gold were eager to get their revenge on the Central Division’s top team. Here’s how it went down:

Lauko Stays Hot

After 31 games of goalless hockey, Jakub Lauko broke the curse and potted his first of the season on January 18 against the Colorado Avalanche. He started the scoring in tonight’s contest, finishing a beautiful feed from Trent Frederic for the game’s opening goal.

Lauko now has a point in each of his last three games. He, along with new linemates Morgan Geekie and Trent Frederic, each have a point in the previous few games and have shown impressive chemistry.

“We kind of have a little bit of everything,” said Geekie about the new trio’s chemistry. “(Lauko) brings a lot of energy to our line…I played with Freddy in camp a little bit. We like playing with each other, and I think it speaks to our chemistry as a team.”

First Line Continues to Impress

With under two minutes left in the first period, the newly formed top line of Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, and David Pastrank struck again to regain the lead. The trio had an impressive offensive zone shift, dominating puck possession via the cycle before Hampus Lindholm fired a point shot that Coyle was able to deflect home. The goal was Coyle’s 17th of the season, surpassing his goal mark from the past two seasons in Boston.

Coyle’s goal would go on to be the game-winner in what turned out to be a tightly contested match between two of the league’s best defensive teams (Winnipeg hasn’t allowed more than two goals in a game since late December). Both Charlie and Coyle and head coach Jim Montgomery talked after the game about what it meant to beat the Jets and avenge their 5-1 loss back in December.

“They embarrassed us the last time we were in Winnipeg,” head coach Jim Montgomery said following the game. “We have a lot of proud guys that represent the Bruins for a long time in a really good way. I think the opportunity to get back at them was something that was motivating today.”

DeBrusk Keeps Scoring

After what seemed like a period and a half of neutral zone hockey, Jake DeBrusk broke the stalemate and put the Bruins ahead with his 12th goal of the season. The goal came while Boston was shorthanded, but the shift started while the teams played four-on-four. Morgan Geekie made a great power move to the front of the net, and DeBrusk threaded the needle for the game’s third goal.

“Production-wise, my start wasn’t where I wanted it to be at all, but I didn’t really mind my game. I thought it was coming along,” said DeBrusk about improving his play. “I feel like I’ve found some consistency in different areas. Just tried to figure out where I was put on this team and where I could help the most.”

Brad Marchand added an empty-netter to seal the victory in the dying seconds of the third period. Jeremy Swayman added 20 saves and has most likely played in his last game before heading to Toronto this weekend for his first career all-star appearance.

The Bruins have one more game before the all-star break, and it’ll take place Thursday night at TD Garden against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Game Notes

  • Jake DeBrusk has five points (three goals, two assists) in his last five games.
  • For the second game in a row, Matt Poitras played wing on the fourth line. Montgomery showed more faith in the young center than earlier in the season, playing him late into the third period. This signals an increased organizational confidence in Poitras’ two-way game.
  • Geekie, Lauko, and Frederic have combined for seven points over the last three games.
  • Brandon Carlo made an incredible diving poke check to stop a breakaway in the second period. His performance has been encouraging after learning he suffered another concussion in his most recent trip to the injured list.
  • Swayman didn’t face many shots, but early in the third, the Jets made a push, and he was up for the challenge.