Boston Bruins Look to Shut Down Sharks

Oct 21, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins right wing

(18) and San Jose Sharks left wing Matt Nieto (83) battle for position during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

“I think we’re going in the right direction, we’re playing good hockey and the opportunities are there and if we make those adjustments, then hopefully it will allow us to win.” Brad Marchand

The last time the Bruins took on the San Jose Sharks was at the Garden following a three-game road trip where they looked to improve a 1-2 record at home. Despite some lackluster performances prior to, the Bruins stunned everyone in pulling off a 5-3 victory against the Sharks, Seth Griffith made himself known when he scored the tying goal and Gregory Campbell scored his first of the season off of a Daniel Paille re-direct. The game came as one of the Bruins first collective victories of the season, aside from the opening game against the Flyers, and showed promise after a rocky road trip.

Once again the Bruins face a similar situation as before, looking for consistency in their game and ways to finish, only this time they look to do so in San Jose. They are coming off of four straight losses, two of them a result of minor mishaps that, unfortunately, led to opportunities.

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Puck Prose

When the Bruins hit the ice for the optional practice yesterday, nearly every drill was focused on scoring. They practiced a variety of situations from breakouts to shootouts and the like, each ending with golden opportunities. The relief of putting the puck in the back of the net seemingly eased the minds of some otherwise frustrated Bruins members.

“We’ve always said, the way you practice normally translates into a game, so if we can get our confidence up scoring goals in practice, hopefully it can translate as well…I think we’re going in the right direction, we’re playing good hockey and the opportunities are there and if we make those adjustments, then hopefully it will allow us to win.” Brad Marchand said after the B’s optional practice yesterday that saw more than half of the team on the ice.

While the Bruins have been able to make some adjustments to get the plays generating, there’s a key factor they still seem to be forgetting. Shooting the puck at the net. This is the only way that the Bruins are going to be able to score. We know that the Bruins know how to make plays, we’ve been seeing the nice backhand, no-look passes that are connecting and the swift neutral zone transitions, but we’re missing the ending piece, the conversion, the lighting the lamp. Currently Patrice Bergeron leads the team with 75 shots on net, which is good, but from a player who is supposed to be your play-maker and all-around guy, he shouldn’t be leading the team in shots on net, that’s what wingers are for. David Pastrnak is shedding some light on the need to shoot the puck, tossing 9 at the net against Anaheim and registering his first professional point. If collectively each player can generate more shots on net per game, the results are going to start coming and with that the Bruins confidence will be restored.

As of late Claude Julien has been changing up the lines to see where he can ignite a spark and get the ball rolling. Last game we saw David Pastrnak being shuffled around, spending some time with Lucic and then alongside Kelly, reuniting Smith with the PBR line. Tonight it is likely that the PBR line will be reinforced and Pastrnak will get some time alongside Chris Kelly and Loui Eriksson, shifting Soderberg up with Lucic and Griffith. Hopefully after a seemingly successful optional practice and some change ups to the lines, the Bruins should be on the fast track to victory.