Boston Bruins: Why B’s will be the story of the spring
Flying under the radar for most of the winter and backed by complimentary hockey, the Boston Bruins have quietly become one of the NHL’s best this season.
For most of the summer, Boston is a baseball town. This fall, we were a basketball and football town. Around the holidays and into February, we stayed as such. But while we were watching the Patriots lose the Super Bowl, the Red Sox sign nobody, and the Celtics lose four of five, the Boston Bruins have become one of the NHL’s best.
That’s why the B’s will be the story of the Spring.
Since December 14th, the Bruins have lost just two games in regulation. They were 15-10-4 on that date and currently sit at 35-12-4. That included an 18-game point streak from that date until January 30th.
Today, they stand three points behind the Atlantic Division leader Tampa Bay Lighting with 78 overall. However, the Bruins have three games in hand over the Bolts. Starting Saturday, the Bruins will embark on a Western Canadian road trip in which they play at Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton before coming back east to play at Toronto and Buffalo.
It’s unlikely that the Bruins will maintain this record pace for the remaining seven weeks, but they are sitting pretty on their way to Stanley Cup contention.
Ultimately, this is a result of superb play by their young guys as well as near career seasons from their veterans. The Bruins have tremendous depth at forward, with those like Riley Nash, Noel Acciari, and Danton Heinen contributing from the third and fourth. Meanwhile, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak make up one if the best first lines in the whole league. In fact, Bergeron could end up being both a Selke and Hart Trophy finalist.
More from Boston Bruins
- Boston Bruins fans better be ready for a bridge year
- Boston Bruins Rumors: Why letting Tyler Bertuzzi walk is a big mistake
- Boston Bruins Rumors: Milan Lucic back returns to the Black & Gold express
- Boston Bruins Draft class 2023: Grades & thoughts on draft selections
- Boston Bruins win 3 big awards at NHL Awards Gala: Thoughts & reactions
At defense, the top pair of captain Zdeno Chara and Charlie McAvoy provide a combination of physicality and finese. Torey Krug and Brandon Carlo also add to the Bs ability to distribute the puck.
These players, under coach Bruce Cassidy, have found a rhythm that makes the Bruins very tough to beat. They use complimentary hockey and standup goaltending from Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin to keep themselves in each and every hockey game.
Moving Forward
Should they continue with any pace close to what they have done, the Boston Bruins may find themselves back in the deep playoffs. The past three seasons have been tough on loyal Boston hockey fans, so they deserve a Cup run.
Next: Boston Bruins: Prospect Ryan Donato tearing it up at the Olympics
I would not quite doubt if that is indeed the case. Still, watch the Celtics and Red Sox. Still, pay attention to the NFL offseason and March Madness. But don’t let the new story pass.