Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand each had a goal and an assist to help lead the Boston Bruins over the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 on Thursday night.

Boston won for the fifth time in seven games and kicked off their toughest stretch of the season with a victory. The Bruins now prepare to face the Washington Capitals, the NHL's points leader, on Saturday, before heading out on the road for six of the next eight games.

Ryan Spooner and Loui Eriksson also had goals for Boston. Tuukka Rask made 25 saves and newcomer Lee Stempniak notched two assists.

Jonathan Toews and Thomas Fleischmann scored for Chicago, which has dropped three of its last five and 6 of 10, but the Western Conference leaders remained two points ahead of Dallas and St. Louis, who were idle.