Smith returned to play Saturday night and was able to make his presents felt after having missed the last two games with injury.
"I'm really happy for Smitty," said Charlie McAvoy. "He's a tremendous hockey player, so happy for him to be back in the lineup and contribute and see that big smile."
Smith gave everyone a reason to smile after netting his first goal of the season. Erik Haula found Smith speeding down the wing and Smith wasted no time with the snipe into the top left corner of the net 1:28 into the third period extending the Bruins lead to 4-2.
"The boys were pumped for him," said Derek Forbort.
Pumped would be a word to describe the Bruins after Forbort scored his two goals Saturday night. Forbort, however, kept it humble and credited his team and pure luck for his success.
"First one was pretty lucky, second one Smitty made a good play I had a lot of time to walk in there," said Forbort.
Forbort's goals both came in the second period, with the first just 30 seconds in on a shot that deflected off a Flyers defender. The second goal needed no help getting to the back of the net, with just 3:33 remaining in the second period after a good look from Smith to make it 3-2 Boston.
"Smitty did such a good job at getting the puck over," said Forbort. "Just a good play overall by the fellas."
Good play-making set the tone early with Anton Blidh spotting Tomas Nosek in front of the net late in the first period. Blidh quickly flicked it to Nosek from behind the net giving Nosek just enough time to control the puck with his foot and get off a clean shot with more than enough power to make it 1-0 Bruins heading into the second period.
The second period is when things started to really heat up. A scrum behind the Bruins net forced McAvoy to set the tone, getting into it with Joel Farabee.
"McAvoy decided to push back and ends up in a scrap and I'm sure that got us going. I know it did," said Cassidy.
"They kinda went after Bergy which no one really appreciates," said McAvoy. "Hopefully it lifted our team."
The Bruins were indeed lifted by the sound of a very quiet Wells Fargo Center after McAvoy took care of business.
Pastrnak wanted in on the action and he did so by adding some insurance to the plan. After a quiet start offensively, Pastrnak scooted one by Flyers goaltender Martin Jones with around seven minutes left to play bringing the Bruins lead to 5-2 in the third. It was Pastrnak's fifth goal and 15th point of the sill young 2021-22 season.
Linus Ullmark was strong in net, saving 29 of the 31 shots fired at him. His teammates had nothing but praise when asked about this Bruins' options in net.
"Both guys compete so hard compete faith in both of them," said McAvoy.
Forbort followed by saying, "It doesn't matter who's in there, we have confidence in both of them."
This Bruins are now 9-5-0, with a chance to make it double digit wins on Sunday night as they return to TD Garden for a Sunday night battle vs. the Flames.
