The Boston Bruins have had quite the season and as we head into the new year here are 3 resolutions the team needs to make.
This season can only be described as great for the Boston Bruins. They have been one of the best teams in the NHL.
The funny thing is that they definitely aren’t perfect. Boston has had its fair share of rough patches and struggles.
There are problems the team can fix and ways for them to get even better. If that happens the NHL will be put on notice. A Stanley Cup Finals appearance would be expected and almost guaranteed.
Still, the team is 22-7-9. That is good enough for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and 3rd in the entire NHL.
If the Boston Bruins make these 3 resolutions they will be an even more unstoppable team.
Secondary scoring
This has been a problem for the Boston Bruins for two straight seasons. They have been forced to rely on the 1st line for the majority of their scoring.
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
Boston’s 1st line has accumulated 151 points. That is over 40 percent of the team’s total scoring.
The Bruins need some secondary scoring. There is the 1st line and then there is everyone else. David Krejci is the closest to replicating the numbers and he only has 8 goals and 20 assists.
The Bruins need more from guys like Jake DeBrusk as well as Anders Bjork. If they can start scoring and maintain a high level of play it will help Boston a lot.
If the Bruins can’t get secondary scoring they will get the same result as last season. They might be able to get to the Stanley Cup finals but they won’t be lifting a banner at TD Garden anytime soon.
Patrice Bergeron needs to stay healthy
Patrice Bergeron has been Mr. consistent. The Boston Bruins have always been able to rely on him. Year after year hr seems to continue to be dominant.
This season is more of the same. Bergeron has 17 goals 18 assists so far this season. He hasn’t been on the same level as David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand but still pretty good. Especially for a 34-year-old center.
But one problem that Bergeron has had is his health. He has had a nagging groin injury and always seems to get even more hurt as the season progresses. Bergeron has played in 31 of the Bruins 40 games.
If Boston wants to be succesful they need Patrice Bergeron, a healthy Patrice Bergeron. If Bergeron is worn down in the playoffs he will hurt the Bruins 1st line.
So hopefully in 2020, Patrice Bergeron will be able to stay healthy and help the Bruins win a Stanley Cup.
Get tougher
Lately, the big bad Bruins haven’t been so scary. Teams have been going after them and that has led to some players getting injured.
The Bruins need to get tougher. They need to start banging bodies and dropping the gloves. 4th liners like Chris Wagner and Sean Kuraly need to start stepping up.
Boston just needs to stand up for one another. If someone wants to take a run at a teammate someone else has to make sure the opposition knows that is not okay.
I don’t think Boston should go out and try to acquire a player like Ryan Reaves or Evander Kane. Even if they don’t drop the gloves they just need to send a message.
With all the talent on this team, I know they will do well, but it would help if guys like David Pastrnak and Torey Krug weren’t being driven into the boards.
Hopefully, the Boston Bruins start off the decade well and maybe even lift a banner once the 2019-20 season comes to an end.