Boston Bruins Dominate New York Rangers
In an explosive display of offensive prowess, the Boston Bruins overwhelmingly defeated the New York Rangers 10-2 during a game on Saturday. Pavel Zacha achieved a significant milestone, netting his inaugural hat trick, with one of his goals controversially scored as many Rangers players retreated to the locker room at the first period’s conclusion.
Historic Night for the Bruins
Marat Khusnutdinov further complemented Zacha’s achievement by contributing four goals to the Bruins’ tally, marking a historic night for the team as they became the first in franchise history to have two players score hat tricks in a single home game.
This resounding victory not only improved the Bruins’ record to four wins out of their last five games but also served as a form of redemption following a disappointing 6-2 loss to the Rangers at home on November 28. The last time two Bruins players managed to score hat tricks in the same match was in 1964, a testament to the rarity of this feat.
Supporting Zacha’s performance, Fraser Minten added two goals, and Charlie McAvoy chipped in with another, while David Pastrnak tied a team record with an impressive six assists during the game.
Rangers Struggle Amidst Losses
For the Rangers, Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller found the net, but their efforts were overshadowed by a run of six losses in their last seven outings. The team’s head coach, Mike Sullivan, is still in pursuit of his 500th career win. Following Zacha’s third goal, which extended Boston’s lead to 6-1 in the second period, Sullivan opted to replace starting goalie Jonathan Quick.
The second goal by Zacha, which garnered significant attention, came from a shot taken in the right circle that narrowly slipped past Quick. Defenseman Braden Schneider attempted to clear the puck before it fully crossed the line, and the scoreboard registered the goal despite most Rangers players having returned to their locker room. Khusnutdinov’s first goal had equalized the score just 2:31 into the match, and his third goal in the final period capped off his four-goal game to make it 8-2.
Game Highlights and Future Matches
Additionally, Bruins winger Morgan Geekie departed the match after the first period due to family obligations. Notably, Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman made a pivotal right-pad save during a penalty shot taken by Vincent Trocheck, contributing to the team’s strong defensive showing.
Looking ahead, the Rangers are set to host the Seattle Kraken on Monday night, while the Bruins will face the Pittsburgh Penguins at home on Sunday.
