Boston Bruins Start 2017 In Playoff Position

The Boston Bruins have found themselves in and out of a playoff position this season. As 2017 begins, the B’s find themselves hanging on to third place in the Atlantic Division.

More from Bruins News

• Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
• Bruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contract
• The Bruins should take a look at these four free agents
• NHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the league
• The Lasting Legacy of David Krejci

The Boston Bruins had certainly had some ups and downs so far this season. The B’s have found themselves up and down in the standings and have at times found themselves on the outside looking in. As 2017 begins though, the Bruins have 44 points and are holding on to the third seed in the Atlantic Division.

In some ways, the Bruins are still a struggling team. The Black and Gold are averaging 2.38 goals a game. That puts the B’s in 23rd place in the NHL. Their power play average ranks 25th (14.3%), and the Bruins goaltending problems without Tuukka Rask in the net have been a problem for the team since day one.

Even with the team’s struggles, they have found a way to exceed the expectations of the media. The Bruins are still doing quite a few things right as they try to build on their current two game winning streak.  Their penalty kill has been outstanding for most of the season (3rd @ 87.0%) Their goals against average is in the top ten (8th @ 2.38).

The Bruins are still finding ways to compete in spite of their liabilities. It’s that kind of hard work that has gotten them back into playoff contention. Overall, the Bruins front office is happy with where they are right now.

“I think we’re performing. I can’t be dissatisfied,” offered Head Coach Claude Julien at team’s practice on Sunday. “I think there’s a lot of things to be satisfied about with our hockey club.”

“Right from the start of the season, we’ve improved and we continue to try and get better and that’s part of our job. I consider ourselves a fairly young team – we’ve got some veterans and I get that, but we have a fairly young team, a lot of young players inserted into our lineup this year, so it’s a work in progress, and I think that progress is coming along.”

The team knows that can’t be complacent. The Metropolitan Division is having an incredible strong year.  The Washington Capitals and the Philadelphia Flyers are holding on to the wild card spots in the East, and they both have more points than the B’s. The Tampa Bay Lightning have been hanging in their with the Bruins are only two points behind them in the standings.

If the Bruins are going to stay in the hunt, they know they’ve got to do. Boston will have to play every game like it’s the last of the season. They’ll have to floor that gas pedal and play their absolute best hockey for the next three-plus months.

“I think that it’s important, especially at this time of the year, that you gather some wins and put some wins together,” said Bruins captain Zdeno Chara after Sunday’s practice. “If you’re able to do that, you separate yourself from the rest of the field and build yourself some cushion – it’s always nice to have.”

“But at the same time, we can’t be looking too much ahead. Obviously the next game is the most important game, and we know that every team is at least capable of beating anybody on any given night, so we have to be really ready and really focused.”

“Every game, we have to give our best.”

The Bruins will put that focus to the test as they try to build on their two game win streak. They’ll be on the road (where the B’s usually do well) against the New Jersey Devils on Monday night.