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‘That’s what we need,’ says Julien after Bruins comeback win over Penguins

Boston Bruins v New Jersey Devils

NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 08: Claude Julien of the Boston Bruins works the bench against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 8, 2016 in Newark, New Jersey. The Bruins defeated the Devils 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Despite tumultuous times in Boston, the Bruins will go into the All-Star break on a winning note.

Not only did they beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, a tall order for any team in the league, but they didn’t let a 2-0 deficit after the first period determine their fate.

With all the talk about Claude Julien’s future in Boston and his subsequent comments about his team not being talented enough to get away with playing mediocre hockey, a 4-3 win over the Penguins is the best possible way this Bruins team could’ve gone into the break.

That, according to Julien, was a much better effort from his team, which came alive with three second period goals.
“We need emotional involvement,” said Julien, per the Boston Globe. “We need to be engaged. Tonight, we were engaged. Not so much in the first. It had nothing to do with the score. Because the goals they got, one went in off a stick, the other one was a breakdown on our penalty kill.

“We needed to be emotionally connected to this game. You saw Backes coming out and throwing some big hits. We started making plays. That’s what we need. You need to build around things like that. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo left the game with a lower-body injury and didn’t return. There was no update on his status following the game.

Speaking of David Backes, he was involved in a scuffle with Penguins scorer Phil Kessel during this one as tempers flared.

Brad Marchand, who has avoided suspension for a “dangerous trip” on Niklas Kronwall, scored twice for Boston in the second period. He’s now up to 21 goals on the season. He also voiced strong support for Julien, who has, according to reports, been on the hot seat of late.
“The speculation is driven by the media,” Marchand said, per NESN. “They don’t have the sources that they may claim. That’s not going to happen if we do our jobs. Claude isn’t the issue — if you fire the coach, what do you do? It’s not going to change anything, Claude’s one of the best coaches in the game.”