Final observations

So much for Saturday’s effort against the Blue Jackets. The Boston Bruins bounced back nicely on Tuesday night and got back on track with a 3-1 win over the Dallas Stars in their first game of a back to back before the All Star break. They’ll look to end their pre-All Star Game slate on a high note tomorrow night when they travel to Denver to face the Colorado Avalanche.

The Bruins’ special teams has been one of their strengths during the first month of 2015 and that was again evident tonight. Dougie Hamilton’s power play goal gave the B’s some insurance in the third period and the penalty kill, despite giving up several shots, was up to the task. Tuukka Rask stood tall to help the shorthanded unit and it’s safe to say he is back to his Vezina winning form from a year ago.

David Pastrnak was replaced for most of the third period with Craig Cunningham on the first line. Pastrnak didn’t play poorly by any means – despite only firing one shot on goal – and had a nice backcheck to stop an odd man rush for the Stars in the first period. For whatever reason, Claude Julien kept him as the odd man out as he shortened his bench.

Easily, the third line Carl Soderberg, Loui Eriksson and Chris Kelly were the best trio all night. Eriksson’s goal off Soderberg’s feed was a highlight reel goal that will be played over and over on the local sportscasts tonight and tomorrow morning. It’s safe to say that these three are the Bruins’ most consistent line through this point of the 2014-15 season.

Tonight’s win puts the Bruins at 56 points on the season and in firm position for the final wild card spot with a six point lead over the Florida Panthers. The Washington Capitals hold the top wild card spot with 57 points, while their fellow Metropolitan Division foes, the Penguins and Rangers, have 59 and 58 points, respectively. Either way, the Black and Gold are in pretty good shape.

Stay tuned for complete postgame coverage on Bruins Daily and Boston.com.

Editors note, the original version had the Penguins at 58 points instead of 59.