Post-game Thoughts: Bruins 4, Predators 3

• One of the more entertaining games of the season: This game had it all. Hits, a fight, goals, two comebacks by the Preds to force OT. The Bruins went blow for blow with the Western Conference leading Predators, and came away with a thrilling 4-3 victory.
  

• Brad Marchand continues to be the straw the stirs the drink: What else can you say about this guy? He was involved in every facet of the game yet again. Assisted on Craig Smith’s first period tally, and had an absolute snipe on the PP in the third to put Boston ahead 3-2. Also sent Dante Fabbro to the locker room with a thunderous (but clean) hit in the third. Who cares about the All-Star Game, Brad is a certified superstar in this league.

• Charlie McAvoy looks more like himself again: Since returning from injury a few games back, McAvoy has not looked like his normal, dominant self on both ends. He was very involved on both ends, picking up an assist and 6 hits in his team high 27:44 TOI.

• Urho Vaakanainen continues to impress: Has Urho FINALLY arrived? Sure seems like it. He has looked like a totally different player during this stint with the big club. He didn’t get credited with an assist, but Craig Smith’s goal started with Urho skating the puck out of his own zone and hitting Marchand with a pass allowing for a quick attack. On Hall’s OT winner, Urho made an excellent play to break up a Predators 2 on 1, and got the puck up ice quickly, allowing Pasta and Hall to do their thing. Vaak finished the game with an assist and 3 SOG in 21:09 TOI. He’s making his case to stick in the lineup.

• Great game for Mike Reilly: Quick shoutout to Mike Reilly, who I think played his best game of the season. Scored the Bruins second goal on a great play by Hall and Erik Haula, and was just involved every shift. When he’s skating and handling the puck with the confidence he was today, he is a great piece to the Bruins backend.