Bruins’ Win Streak Product of Team Chemistry
Mar 13, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) is congratulated by left wing Carl Soderberg (34) after defeating the Phoenix Coyotes 2-1 at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
You know that feeling you get when playing NHL 14 and every pass seems to connect, every shot seems to find twine, and your goalie seems to always come up with the big save? That’s how the Boston Bruins feel right now. Coming off their eighth straight win against the Carolina Hurricanes Saturday afternoon, the Bruins are the hottest team in the league, and find themselves first in the Eastern Conference.
March 1st was the last time the Bruins didn’t come out on top, when they fell to the Washington Capitals 4-2. Since that game the Bruins’ young defensemen have stepped up to the plate and have logged impressive amounts of ice time. Johnny Boychuk has filled the veteran role that Dennis Seidenberg left vacant after tearing his ACL and MCL earlier this year. With over 20 minutes of ice time in four of the last five games, he has played a huge role in the Bruins’ recent success.
Depth has been one of the Bruins’ strong suits in recent years, and this proven true once again this year. Matt Lindblad made his NHL debut Saturday, and had an impressive showing, and looked confident Saturday afternoon. New Bruins defenseman Andrej Meszaros has played three games for the black and gold, and has a plus three and a goal to his credit. The two-way defenseman seems to have fit in the locker room well and has been welcomed by fellow countryman Zdeno Chara, who was his partner in the Sochi Winter Games last month.
When a team is as solid in their own zone as the Bruins have been as of late, it opens up plays down the ice. The top two lines have been clicking on all cylinders. The chemistry of the Lucic-Krejci-Iginla line has been among the best in the league with a combined 60 goals thus far. Bruins newcomer Reilly Smith has fit in well as Seguin’s replacement on the second line with Bergeron and Marchand tallying a career high 16 goals.
When a team can play as aggressively as the Bruins have been able to, confidence builds. They are able to take chances in every zone, knowing that Tuukka Rask will be there to save the day. Rask has been phenomenal during this winning streak, he holds a .941 save percentage in the last five games. Tuukka leads the league in shutouts with six, including a recent shutout of Alex Ovechkin‘s Washington Capitals.
The Bruins have run the table as of late, and are without a doubt the Eastern Conference’s best. If they can keep their level of play at this level, don’t be surprised if Lord Stanley pays Boston a visit this summer.