Halak happy to get back on victory track
Since starting his Bruins tenure hot, Jaroslav Halak hasn’t had it easy.
The veteran netminder earned the win on Sunday, his first since Jan. 3 against Calgary. His last two games were shootout defeats against Winnipeg and the Rangers.
It didn’t get to that point against the Avalanche, with Brad Marchand potting the winner with under a minute left in the extra frame to give the B’s a 2-1 victory.
“I thought we were going to a shootout again and when it went in I was happy and I just couldn’t believe it at first,” he said. “It’s nice. It’s nice to get a win again.”
Halak made several stops to send the Bruins to overtime, including one on Nathan MacKinnon on a breakaway out of the penalty box.
“It’s nice to win a game again, it’s been a while,” he said. “I felt alright against the Rangers and against Winnipeg. You know, when it goes to OT, three on three, you never know what’s going to happen and then a shootout. So, in a shootout you always get some great players going against you and you know, if they make a good move, good for them and I move on to the next game.”
McAvoy on a roll
If it took Charlie McAvoy a bit to get going after dealing with his injuries, it seems like he’s finally found a groove. He played a solid game against the Kings on Saturday, and turned in another strong performance against the Avalanche.
“The expectations are high for Charlie,” said Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. “He’s had a good start here. Part of that we try to temper with him without talking him down and not reaching his potential, but he has to understand it’s a tough league and play the game in front of him. And I think he’s starting to now play that, and then when the opportunities are there, he looks like to me that he’s taking advantage of the situation.”
Adding Moore
John Moore‘s wife gave birth to a baby girl on Thursday night, in what’s been a busy week for the Bruins defenseman.
“Lucy,” he said. “On Thursday. So, my wife has been an all-star so I am ready and prepared to play. She’s been awesome and just a great thing.”
Moore scored the Bruins first goal of the game on Sunday, and nearly had another on a weird bounce off a stanchion in front of the Bruins bench.
“I know my daughter loves coming to these afternoon games so I knew they were watching at home,” he said. “I’m going to race home, see them, change a diaper or two, so I guess the real shift starts now.”
Kampfer on loan
The Bruins sent defenseman Steven Kampfer to AHL Providence on a conditioning loan before the game. Kampfer has played in 25 games with the Bruins this season, scoring two goals and one assist.