Bergeron, Nash Inch The Bruins Closer To First Place

After a rough patch during the first period, the Bruins took over during the final 40 minutes of a 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames.

The Bruins got off to a very fast start as Riley Nash scored his ninth goal of the year just 28 seconds into the game.  Matt Grzelcyk passed behind the net to David Backes who then found Nash out in front for the quick shot past David Riitich.

The Flames had a quick response by tying the game 1:35 later as Garnet Hathaway forced Grzelcyk into a turnover below the goal line and got the puck out front to Sam Bennett where he beat Tuukka Rask to the blocker side.

Johnny Gaudreau gave the Flames a 2-1 lead just over seven minutes later as he was left all alone at the side of net where he was able to stuff home a third attempt after Rask stopped shots from both Mark Giordano and Matt Stajan. 

Nash struck again at the 16:20 mark of the second period.  Charlie McAvoy picked off a stretch pass from T.J. Brodie, gained the zone then passed to Tim Schaller who quickly found Nash in front for the snap shot past Riitich.

Patrice Bergeron took over the third period and gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead just over a minute into the final frame.  While on the power play, Torey Krug hit Bergeron with a great lead pass through the neutral zone and he beat Riitich with a snap shot from the slot.

About eight minutes later, Bergeron struck again as he redirected Brad Marchand's one-timer from the high slot for his 27^th goal of the year.  David Backes fed the puck to Marchand for the secondary assist. 

Zdeno Chara added an empty net goal with just under for minutes as he lofted the puck from about 185 feet away and found the back of the Calgary net for his sixth goal of the year.

The Sabres did us a solid by knocking off the Tampa Bay Lightning in regulation, so the Bruins are currently just one point out of first place with a game in hand on the Bolts!