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Bruins Need A Fast Start After Their Extended Pause

by Mike Cratty

December 19, 2021

in Atlantic Division, Boston Bruins, NHL

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It sounds obvious, I know. But, there’s more to it than just wanting to win games out of a somewhat sudden, unexpected pause in the season. The 2021-2022 season has been a tough one in terms of consistency for the Boston Bruins. Things got even harder when players were dropping out of the lineup like crazy before numerous postponements.

It was one game, but not having Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron in particular in a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders gave viewers a frightening look at how tough things can be without them. The whole feel of the team was off, understandably so given the circumstances, but still off nonetheless. Craig Smith, Trent Frederic, Anton Blidh, Oskar Steen, and Jeremy Swayman were also out. There is no doubt that even when teams get back into the swing of things, the season will still be unpredictable.

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The Bruins are currently battling with the Detroit Red Wings for a stranglehold on the four seed in the Atlantic Division with five games in hand. Games in hand are nice, but I’m sure the Bruins would prefer to not have to use them as a crutch this season if they can avoid it. They currently sit three points back of the fourth-place Red Wings at 14-10-2. There have been solid performances that stand out throughout, and a few stellar showings from Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, but I don’t think there’s doubt in anyone’s mind that the Bruins need some consistency in their future.

Two things that could be huge in their efforts to get rolling in the future are the looming return of Tuukka Rask and the hope of David Pastrnak getting on a hot streak. Rask returning is practically inevitable at this point with his presence around the team at multiple practices as he recovers. Pastrnak is having a solid season, but he has yet to score a goal in the month of December. I am by no means worried about Pastrnak or ragging on him, but when he gets fully going again like we know he can, it will make a very noticeable impact.

If this team really wants to up their game and make some headway, the second line of Taylor Hall, Charlie Coyle, and Craig Smith needs to continue to move things along in terms of chemistry. There have been moments for the trio this season, but they have more to offer.

Defensively, there have been ups and downs. I wouldn’t say there have been many defensive disasters this season, but the group can be better. Part of the struggle for them is figuring out how to work as a collective unit. Derek Forbort has seen time early in his Bruins career with multiple partners finding the best fit. Mike Reilly has been in and out of the lineup and up and down it. Matt Grzelcyk has moved around a bit in the top-six, as expected.

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The loss of Jakub Zboril to injury was really unfortunate. Even on his off side, he was really finding his stride and looked more assertive in comparison to last season while doing so. It was really refreshing to see and ideally, he can pick up where he left off when he is back to full strength. Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo are the leaders in that group and can get things where they need to be.

Sluggishness could be a problem for teams out of the gate when the current pause throughout most of the league is over. With where the Bruins are in the standings, they can’t afford to miss the mark. Missing Marchand and Bergeron like they did against the Islanders should have the team reflecting on how important it is to put in that extra effort and empty the tank to win important games.

They are in a much different frame of mind this year, and adjusting to quite a bit of change within their group over the past year and finding their identity is paramount for them going forward. The top-three of the Atlantic Division will not be easy to get into with ten points separating the Bruins and the third-place Florida Panthers, so the pressure is on.