Marchand's hat trick moves Bruins atop Eastern Conference

Boston, MA – Brad Marchand notched his first career hat trick point night, leading the juggernaut Boston Bruins to an 8-0 rout of the Florida Panthers.

Tuukka Rask made 30 saves for his second shutout of the year and 10th of his career. It's his second consecutive blanking as the Bruins beat the Kings, 3-0, on December 13.

Patrice Bergeron chipped in with a goal and a pair of assists for the Bruins, who are 20-2-1 over their last 23 contests. They've taken the lead in the Eastern Conference, a point ahead of Philadelphia.

The Bruins seemed like they had something to prove after a 2-0 home shutout loss to the Panthers on December 8. They've won six in a row since that defeat.

Jose Theodore gave up four goals on 14 shots before being lifted after one period. Scott Clemmensen made 17 saves while playing the final two periods for the Panthers, losers of three in a row.