Boston Bruins: Charlie Coyle needs to step up

Charlie Coyle was great for the Boston Bruins in the 2019-20 season. Sadly the same can’t be said for 2021.

Last season we saw Coyle tally 16 goals and 21 assists. For a third liner that is rather impressive.

More from Chowder and Champions

• 3 Patriots on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
• 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
• 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
• MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
• 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season

This is especially the case when you have seen that the Bruins have primarily relied on the first line for a majority of the scoring. Thankfully this season, Boston has been able to rely on the second line as well.

In 2021, the bottom six has been a problem area for the B’s. While scoring might not be the function of the fourth line, it is for the third line. With Coyle playing alongside Nick Ritchie and Jake DeBrusk, the line shouldn’t exactly be struggling to score goals.

But Coyle has been far from a reliable scorer in recent times. He hasn’t scored a goal in nearly a month.

Coyle’s season totals haven’t been great either. He only has five goals and 10 assists this season.

Charlie Coyle needs to step up for the Boston Bruins

The Bruins need Coyle and the third line to start producing. If they are unable to get any production going, it will be tough for Boston to go far in the playoffs.

That can’t be the case for a team as talented as Boston. They should at least be aiming for the Eastern Conference Finals.

The B’s don’t have a ton of time left with some key pillars of the franchise. Patrice Bergeron and Tuukka Rask could end up retiring rather soon.

Also if Coyle fails to rise up to the challenge, he could see his place on the third line disappear. At some point, Bruce Cassidy needs to try something new in order to jumpstart the line. Right now Jack Studnicka seems like a perfect candidate to take over for Coyle.

A safe bet is Coyle finding his way. He was great last season and if DeBrusk and Ritchie start playing well, Coyle will only reap the rewards.

When Boston has a top 9 that is churning out production, they are a team that can’t be stopped. It’s why expectations are so high in Boston.

So Coyle needs to start scoring and he needs to fast. The Boston Bruins have no time to waste as they fight for a playoff spot.

Cassidy needs to do whatever it takes in order to get Boston as far up in the standings as possible. That includes sending Coyle to the ninth floor if he doesn’t start scoring.