Bruins Take Home Win Over Blackhawks, NHL Scores

Home has suddenly become an advantage for the Boston Bruins. Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand each had a goal and an assist to help lead the Bruins over the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 on Thursday night.

Boston recorded their fourth home win of the season against a team currently slotted in the playoffs. The Bruins won consecutive home games for the first time since Dec. 20, but for the fifth time in seven games.

"I think the fact (Chicago) made some trades, they really geared up for another Stanley Cup run," said Bruins coach Claude Julien, who tied Art Ross for the most wins in team history. "There were a lot of reasons to get excited about this game tonight and it showed in our play."

The Bruins continue their toughest stretch of the season against the Washington Capitals, the NHL's points leader, on Saturday, before heading out on the road for six of the next eight games.

Ryan Spooner and Loui Eriksson also had goals for Boston. Tuukka Rask made 25 saves and newcomer Lee Stempniak -- acquired from New Jersey on Monday -- notched two assists, as did Torey Krug.

"It's obviously a big game for us playing a team like Chicago, so deep and such a dominant team," Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara said. "It was a big game for us to challenge ourselves."

Jonathan Toews and Thomas Fleischmann scored for Chicago, which beat Detroit 5-2 on Wednesday but has dropped three of its last five and 6 of 10. The Western Conference leaders remained two points ahead of Dallas and St. Louis, who were idle.

Thursday, March 3 Scoreboard

Boston 4, Chicago 2

Buffalo 6, Calgary 3

Edmonton 4, Philadelphia 0

Pittsburgh 4, NY Rangers 1

Minnesota 2, Toronto 1

Tampa Bay 4, Ottawa 1

New Jersey 5, Nashville 4 (OT)

NY Islanders 4, Winnipeg 3 (OT)

Colorado 3, Florida 2

Anaheim 5, Arizona 1

San Jose 3, Vancouver 2

Los Angeles 3, Montreal 2

Friday, March 4 Schedule (All Times Central)

NY Rangers at Washington, 6 p.m.

Edmonton at Columbus, 6 p.m.

New Jersey at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 5 Schedule (All Times Central)

Minnesota at Buffalo, noon

Calgary at Pittsburgh, 2 p.m.

Nashville at Colorado, 2 p.m.

Anaheim at Los Angeles, 3 p.m.

Washington at Boston, 6 p.m.

Ottawa at Toronto, 6 p.m.
            
Carolina at Tampa Bay, 6 p.m.

Columbus at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Montreal at Winnipeg, 6 p.m.

Florida at Arizona, 8 p.m.

Vancouver at San Jose, 9 p.m.

Sunday, March 6 Schedule (All Times Central)

Dallas at Ottawa, 4 p.m.

Pittsburgh at New Jersey, 4 p.m.

NY Islanders at NY Rangers, 4 p.m.

Detroit at Chicago, 4 p.m.

Edmonton at Winnipeg, 6 p.m.

St. Louis at Minnesota, 7 p.m.