If most of Claude Julien’s wins were like these ... well, he probably wouldn’t have more wins than any other Boston Bruins coach.
Still, Monday’s bumpy 5-4 overtime victory against the Florida Panthers does count, giving Julien a Bruins-record 388 victories.
You know you’ve done something special when you pass a person who had a trophy named after him, as the Bruins noted with Julien:
BOSTON BRUINS TOP FIVE ALL-TIME COACHING WINS LEADERS 1. Claude Julien, 388 2. Art Ross, 387 3. Milt Schmidt, 245 4. Don Cherry, 231 5. Gerry Cheevers, 204
The game itself was one that might have left Julien screaming a little paint off of locker room walls.
The Bruins built 3-0 and 4-1 leads in the first period, yet the Panthers came screaming back - maybe with motivation from Shawn Thornton’s fight, maybe not - and forced the game into overtime.
That was the part that probably left Julien frowning. The smiling part: Lee Stempniak made an impact for his new team, scoring the Bruins’ overtime-winner.
The Panthers remain ahead of the Bruins for second place in the Atlantic, but this could be quite the race to watch.
Maybe Julien will make a little more history in the process?
Related: Speaking of history, Jaromir Jagr passed Gordie Howe for third all-time in points during this game.