BRIGHTON — For six games, the Bruins went to battle without their 6-9 captain Zdeno Chara. A big presence lost both figuratively and literally, the Black and Gold needed each member of their 20-man roster to contribute and fill Chara’s void.

It wasn’t pretty at times to be sure, especially in the first two games where defensive breakdowns and odd-man rushes proved costly in losses to the Senators and Flames that kept the Bruins outside the top-eight of the Eastern Conference standings on Thanksgiving weekend. But things started to come together in the next four contests without Chara earning at least one point in games against the Lightning, Flyers, Hurricanes and Sabres. In that span, the team allowed just six goals and kept the opponents’ quality scoring chances to a minimum.

As the Bruins prepare for the Panthers for their second meeting of the season tonight at TD Garden, their coming in on a little bit of a roll. It comes at a good time too as Chara is deemed probable to return according to head coach Claude Julien.

Encouraging certainly for the Bruins, and just as encouraging for Chara to make a return under good circumstances.

“The team battled hard and they did everything they could to get as many points as possible,” Chara said following Monday’s morning skate at Warrior Ice Arena. “Keeping the opposition to as low as they did scoring wise was very impressive.”

“It’s a battle every game,” the 39-year-old blue-liner added. “You’re not always going to get the pretty game. But at the end of the night and the end of the season, you’re always looking at the points, and as long as we’re getting points that’s the most important thing.”

Although the goal scoring issues continued in Chara’s absence, the Bruins bought in to a defensive philosophy where everyone contributed. From Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin making important saves, to the forwards helping the blue-line out and the back end sticking to their assignments, the Bruins found ways to get the job done.

It wasn’t easy to be sure, especially when John-Michael Liles left with a concussion against the Lightning eight days ago and the Bruins were stuck playing with five defensemen for most of the game. A nightly effort was needed from Brandon Carlo, Kevan Miller, Colin Miller, Torey Krug, Adam McQuaid and Joe Morrow to play above their capabilities. They all held their ground for the most part and gave their team a chance to win more often than not.

“The forwards definitely bought in more [and] as a whole unit we were good during his absence as well,” Carlo said about the Bruins’ play in the last week and a half. “I felt we competed just as hard in the games – if not even more – having to fill his void. But with Kevan Miller coming back right at that time it helped. I really enjoyed playing with him and that was a good experience for me, but definitely proud of the team and what we’ve been able to accomplish [without Chara].”

Instead of being a weakness like many hockey pundits like your’s truly predicted, the Bruins are keeping opponents off the scoreboard. The Black and Gold enter Monday night giving up the fifth fewest goals in the league with 54. Not bad for a team who struggled with defensive consistency a year ago.