BOSTON — After missing the Bruins Monday night game with a lower body, Mark Kastelic came back feisty in Thursday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club at TD Garden. On the fourth-line center’s second shift of the game, he squared off for a fight with Robert Bortuzzo.

"They're the guys that really carry the team in the toughest times and in playoff time." The post Mark Kastelic ‘changed the tide’ for Bruins by way of several punches on Thursday appeared first on Boston.

Let this be a warning to all players across the National Hockey League. DO NOT TRY TO FIGHT MARK KASTELIC. Utah Hockey Club defenseman Robert Bortuzzo learned that the hard way on Thursday night at TD Garden when he squared off with the Boston Bruins forward.

Bruins' change of coach from Jim Montgomery to interim bench boss Joe Sacco leads bruising Zadorov to step up own game and seek the same from teammates.

So far, Zadorov has had a bit of a shaky start to the season, like many of his Bruins teammates. In 21 games, the 6-foot-6 defenseman has five assists, an NHL-leading 46 penalty minutes, and a minus-1 rating.

Nikita Zadorov is embracing the Bruins' reset. "I thought we were playing soft the first 20 games," said the big defenseman

Joe Sacco's emphasis as Bruins interim head coach is keeping things simple — while creating chaos in the offensive zone.

The Bruins, with juice in their legs and fury in their fists, scored a 1-0 victory over the Utah Hockey Club in Joe Sacco’s first game as interim coach Thursday night at TD Garden. Elias Lindholm snapped a 17-game goal drought and Mark Kastelic and Nikita Zadorov flexed their physicality as Boston snapped a three-game losing streak.