Charlie Coyle is only wearing a letter on his jersey for as long as Charlie McAvoy is out. But the Bruins veteran scored two times within six minutes in the third period to lead Boston to a victory in what would have been a back-breaking loss into a victory.

BOSTON — Charlie Coyle scored a pair of third-period goals, stealing the spotlight from fellow Boston University product Macklin Celebrini in his first game at the TD Garden as an NHL player and leading the Bruins to a 6-3 victory over San Jose on Monday. It was Boston’s 14th straight victory over the Sharks.

Boston Bruins forward Charlie Coyle sent interim coach Joe Sacco a strong message about one of the youngest promises on the roster, who plays alongside him and Brad Marchand.

Coyle converted a backhanded pass from Matt Poitras to make ... Bruins: Showed improved defense even as top blue liner Charlie McAvoy missed his third straight game. Smith got a cheer from a sizable crowd of supporters when he tied the game at 2-2 midway ...

Coyle scores twice in the third period and ... BRUINS: Showed improved defense even as top blue liner Charlie McAvoy missed his third straight game. The Bruins had been outshot in six straight ...

The lead lasted all of 55 seconds. The B’s top line got hemmed in its own end for much of the shift and, after it finally pushed it out of the zone, the players got caught in a change. On a Sabre 4-on-3, Matt Poitras got lost out high and Dylan Cozens connected with the wide-open trailer Thompson, who ripped a slapper past Swayman.

Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka had hat tricks, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 25 saves as Buffalo rolled to a 7-2 win over Boston.

For this matchup against the Sabres, the Bruins' forward group will be getting a boost. This is because forward Cole Koepke will be back in the lineup after missing each of the Bruins' last five games.

Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka had hat tricks, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 26 saves as Buffalo rolled to a 7-2 win over Boston.

With the trade speculation intensifying after the blockbuster Mikko Rantanen deal, here are some thoughts on some possible Bruin trade chips.

The up-and-down Boston Bruins remain squarely on a crowded playoff bubble in the Eastern Conference. Team president Cam Neely has acknowledged that a “retool” could be on the table between now and the March 7 trade deadline.

Another week down for the Boston Bruins. It was a busier week than last, but they’ve made the most of it. They went 3-1-0 over the four-game stretch. They beat the teams they were supposed to beat, but also got smothered by a strong New Jersey Devils team.