No Pasta, No Problem: Bruins Rout Blackhawks 6-3 As Heinen Remains Hot And DeBrusk Ends Goal Drought

After learning yesterday morning that left wing David Pastrnak would be sidelined for at least two weeks following minor surgery on his left thumb, the Bruins (32-17-8) beat the Chicago Blackhawks (23-25-9) by a score of 6-3 later that day, putting an end to Chicago's seven-game win streak in the process.

David Krejci (13th, 14th) scored twice for the Bruins, while Brad Marchand (22nd), Jake DeBrusk (15th), Danton Heinen (9th), and Peter Cehlarik (4th) notched a goal each.

Brad Marchand recorded three assists, while Heinen, DeBrusk, and Patrice Bergeron collected two each.

DeBrusk's goal was his first since January 8, a stretch of 13 games for him in which he only had two assists (only seven on the season). After the game, the 22-year-old admitted the drought was starting to get to him.

"Personally, very frustrating, to be honest with you. It actually got to me a little bit," DeBrusk said when asked how frustrating things have been over the last month-plus. "But at the same time, I understood that there's peaks and values to your seasons, and that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and when you get through it, it's gonna be a lot of fun ... hopefully I've gotten through that."

Jake DeBrusk on scoring his first goal since Jan. 8:

“It’s something that has been long overdue. Something that I needed to be honest.” pic.twitter.com/fMDGZzcJWj

— Matt Castle (@Matt_Castle22) February 13, 2019

In Pastrnak's absence, the forward lines on Tuesday night looked like this:

Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Danton Heinen

Jake DeBrusk - David Krejci - Peter Cehlarik

Joakim Nordstrom - Trent Frederic - David Backes

Sean Kuraly - Noel Acciari - Chris Wagner
​

Last night marked another solid showing for Heinen, as he now has three goals and six points in four February games. Ever since Bruce Cassidy shuffled him to the top line, even prior to Pastrnak's injury, he's thrived. Just goes to show what happens when you play alongside Bergeron and Marchand. And it shows that Cassidy believes in the 23-year-old.

After a promising rookie campaign last year that saw Heinen record 47 points in 77 games, he started this season really slow. But he's been picked it up in February, no doubt. The Bruins are gonna need him to keep doing that, because who knows how long Pastrnak will be out. Could be two weeks, could be four. Who knows dude. This upcoming stretch presents a great opportunity for Heinen's development and confidence as a first or second liner.

Me when someone says the Bruins should trade Heinen:

pic.twitter.com/Qhk805zGQ3

— Titletown News □ (@TitletownNews_) February 13, 2019

The Bruins begin a five-game, West Coast road trip on Friday, as they'll play the Anaheim Ducks. Following that game, Boston will take on the Los Angeles Kings (16th), San Jose Sharks (18th), Vegas Golden Knights (20th), and St. Louis Blues (22nd), before returning home for a six straight games.