Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand, center, finds an opening for a goal behind Detroit Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek (34) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Boston, Wednesday, March 8, 2017. At left is defenseman Robbie Russo (18). (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand, center, finds an opening for a goal behind Detroit Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek (34) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Boston, Wednesday, March 8, 2017. At left is defenseman Robbie Russo (18). (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Credit: Charles Krupa

Boston — David Krejci scored twice and Drew Stafford had his first with Boston during a four-goal first period that carried the Bruins to a 6-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night.

Brad Marchand had his team-leading 31st and 32nd goals, and David Pastrnak added a score for Boston, and Tuukka Rask made 26 saves. Boston improved to 9-3 since interim coach Bruce Cassidy replaced fired coach Claude Julien on Feb. 7.

Niklas Kronwall had his first goal of the season for Detroit. The Red Wings finished a five-game trip 1-3-1.

Detroit starting goalie Jared Coreau was pulled after giving up three goals during a 2:25 span in what’s likely his last game with the team before he’s shipped back to the minors.

Jimmy Howard, a regular goalie with the Red Wings the past eight seasons, finished his second two-game conditioning stint with Grand Rapids of the AHL on Tuesday. He’s scheduled to join the team this week.

Krejci gave Boston a 1-0 lead 11:07 into the game when he skated around defenseman Danny DeKeyser and slipped a wrist shot by Coreau’s glove.

Marchand skated quickly to a loose puck just inside the blue line and broke in alone before firing a shot inside the left post, making it 2-0 just 1:01 later.

Stafford, acquired for a conditional sixth-round pick from Winnipeg at the trade deadline, made it 3-0 at 13:32. Krejci stole the puck from defenseman Dylan Larkin in the slot and beat goalie Petr Mrazek with 14.9 seconds left. Marchand scored on a clean breakaway late in the second period.

Notes: It was Krejci’s first two-goal and three-point game of the season. … Bruins center Tim Schaller went down hard — skates first — into the backboard and left the ice favoring his right leg in the first. He didn’t return. … Boston forward Ryan Spooner was out with a concussion sustained in Monday’s loss at Ottawa. Jimmy Hayes took his spot after being a healthy scratch the previous two games. … The Bruins are 10-1-1 in their last 12 against Detroit.

Senators 5, Stars 2

Dallas — Defenseman Fredrik Claesson scored his first NHL goal and added an assist to help the Senators win their fourth straight game.

Ottawa moved within four points of first-place Montreal in the Atlantic Division. The Senators’ winning streak began after they acquired Viktor Stalberg and Alexandre Burrows near the trade deadline.

Penguins 7, Jets 4

Winnipeg, Manitoba — Nick Bonino had a hat trick, Evgeni Malkin scored twice and added an assist and the Penguins beat Winnipeg for their third straight victory.

Justin Schultz and Jake Guentzel also scored, and Matt Murray made 31 saves for the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins in the start of a five-game trip. Chad Ruhwedel had three assists, and Mark Streit and Conor Sheary each two.

Three of Pittsburgh’s goals came in a 57-second span in the second period, including two on the power play.