Marchand and Geekie help the Bruins beat the Blackhawks 4-2 for their 3rd consecutive win

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Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand, left, celebrates after scoring on the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand, second from right, celebrates his second goal of the game with center Elias Lindholm (28), defenseman Jordan Oesterle (82) and defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson, left, and Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei chase the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman makes a save during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Chicago Blackhawks left wing Patrick Maroon taunts Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov after a scuffle during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson, left, celebrates his goal on the Boston Bruins with left wing Nick Foligno (17) and defenseman Connor Murphy (5) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Officials break up a scuffle between Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov (91) and Chicago Blackhawks left wing Patrick Maroon (77) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Foligno passes the puck to defenseman Alex Vlasic, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy handles the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei clears the puck out of his zone during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

By JAY COHEN

CHICAGO (AP) — Brad Marchand and Morgan Geekie each scored two goals, and the Boston Bruins beat the struggling Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 on Wednesday night.

Boston posted its third consecutive win — all in the past four days. It rallied for a 3-2 overtime victory against Detroit on Tuesday night.

Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman stopped 20 shots against Chicago.

Alex Vlasic and Jason Dickinson scored for the Blackhawks, who dropped their fourth consecutive game. Petr Mrazek made 23 saves.

The game was tied at 1 when Marchand got a cross-ice pass from David Pastrnak and beat Mrazek on a one-timer 2:58 into the second period. The captain then used his backhand to clean up a rebound at 5:03, giving Boston a 3-1 lead with his team-leading 10th goal of the season.

Pastrnak, Jordan Oesterle and Justin Brazeau each had two assists for Boston.

Takeaways

Bruins: Joe Sacco improved to 6-2-0 since taking over as interim coach, replacing Jim Montgomery. The Bruins showed impressive energy given their busy schedule of late.

Blackhawks: Vlasic was the team’s best player, showing off his improved offensive game. It was the first goal of the season for the 6-foot-6 defenseman and No. 4 for his career.

Key moment

Geekie converted a breakaway 5:02 into the third, giving Boston a 4-2 lead and taking some of the steam out of a potential Chicago rally.

Key stat

Marchand has scored at least 10 goals in each of the last 15 seasons. He has eight goals and 19 assists in 22 career games against Chicago.

Up next

Both teams play again on Saturday. Boston hosts the Philadelphia Flyers, and Chicago hosts the Winnipeg Jets.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl