Shocking: Penalty kill, defense highlight Bruins’ bounce-back win

Here’s what we learned as the Bruins bounced back with a 4-0 statement win over the Canucks.

An opportunistic penalty kill got the Bruins off and running.

On Tuesday, Boston’s top-tier penalty kill encountered a blur during one of their worst outings of the year, allowing two goals on the man advantage against a Flames squad inching closer to another rebuild.

Against the best team in the west, the Bruins collectively kept Vancouver’s seventh-ranked power play in check.

Going up against elite talent like Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes, the Bruins allowed a mere one shot on net in their three PK situations. Within those trio of kills, they took calculated risks in transition to create their own shorthanded scoring opportunities.

The Bruins landed three PK shots, converting twice behind Marchand’s net-front tally 32 seconds in and on Heinen’s assertive breakaway tally.

“It just happened to work out that way because I think we’re playing the right way. We were together — and that’s our defensemen too, not just me and [Marchand] — and everyone is kind of tight we’re reading the play,” Coyle said about Boston’s PK.

“When those opportunities present [themselves], then we’re in good position to capitalize on that. It was great by Marshy to stop there and put a rebound home. And even Danton, too, where he just breaks through. He’s in the right spot in the middle; they turn it over, and he just springs forward and makes a great play.”

Before long, the Bruins extended their lead to 4-0 on Geekie’s ninth of the year and Zacha’s 11th. Over the next 39:25, the Bruins went into shutdown mode.

Boston’s layered D kept Vancouver in check.

Time and again, the Bruins watched Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman bail them out with multiple saves in high-danger scoring areas. On this night, Boston’s D protected the middle of the ice as the forwards played a supporting role to prevent transition.

“I was very impressed. We said that beforehand that it wasn’t tolerable to do what we did last game and the guys really took it to heart,” Ullmark said. “We came out there flying. Obviously, Marshy scores that highlight-reel goal, and after that, we just kept up going.”

More importantly, the Bruins never deviated from their defensive setup.

With a comfortable cushion to work with, Jim Montgomery’s squad remained disciplined and limited their turnovers. Unlike Tuesday’s matchup with Calgary, the Bruins forced the Canucks into perimeter-based scoring chances within their attacking zone setup while even allowing even fewer opportunities in transition.

“I think the way we kept coming back, getting above them and not giving up odd-man rushes,” Montgomery said on what stood out on Boston’s defensive effort. “I think that was the most pleasant thing because when you have the lead, you don’t want to give them opportunities to get back in it either by taking penalties or giving up odd-man rushes. And I liked the way we continued to hang onto pucks in the offensive zone.”

The Bruins continue to embrace the bounce-back “process.”

Sure, they haven’t sustained their record-breaking pace from a year ago — and no one expected that. But like last year, the Bruins developed a healthy trait of learning from previous rough outings.