Boston Bruins 3 Stars of the Week March 22-29
By Joe Kelly
Mar 29, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak (88) scores the game winner in overtime against the Carolina Hurricanes goalie Anton Khudobin (31) at PNC Arena. The Boston Bruins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
This past week featured yet another swing in the pendulum for the Bruins. They snapped their six game losing-streak and were able to string together two pivotal wins.
After losing six consecutive games, including a shootout loss to the league-worst Buffalo Sabres, Boston overpowered the President’s Trophy contending Rangers and squeezed out an overtime win in Carolina Sunday night. Luckily for the Bruins there were many stand-out performances this week including the consistent contribution by the youth line.
Third Star- Patrice Bergeron
Bergeron has been and remain the pulse of the Boston Bruins so long he remains in black and gold. With his invaluable behind-the-scenes leadership and consistent on-ice contributions, Bergeron once again put the team on his back in the midst of another rough stretch, and led them back into a playoff spot. Bergeron recorded a point in three of the week’s four games and continues to see the most ice-time of all Bruins forwards. With the up-and-down play the Bruins have become known for this season, players like Bergeron are the key to any form of success.
Second Star- Claude Julien
Before people cry foul it is important to remember exactly what is Julien’s job and what is the responsibility of those above him. Julien manages the players and makes line changes as he sees fit. This being said the Bruins power play has seen much greater success of late because of Julien’s adjustments to the on-ice personnel. The reason Julien is a star of the week is not because of the changes to the power play, it is because of how he handled Krejci’s return to play.
Julien deserves praise for doing the obvious choice. In many instances this season the correct move has not always been the one that was done. With Spooner and Pastrnak seemingly reinsuring Milan Lucic, it would foolish to give Lucic the sense of security that he clearly has when he plays with Krejci. While confidence would be a good thing, it seems as though Lucic becomes too comfortable with the elite center by his side and needs to be challenged to play well. Julien has apparently seen this and chose not to split up the most consistent line in Boston since its inception after Krejci’s injury.
The Marchand, Bergeron, Krejci combo has payed dividends as well, with he hands of Krejci, the finishing ability of Marchand, and the all over the ice contributions of Patrice Bergeron, it is obvious why Julien decided to make this change.
First Star- The Youth Line
The Lucic, Spooner, Pastrnak combo notched a point in each of the week’s four games, including Sunday night’s OT game-winner. The speed and skill of Spooner and Pastrnak combined with the gritty, physical play of a newly-consistent Milan Lucic has spelled a deadly combo for opponents. This combination is like the two brothers that nobody liked because of their quick remarks and love for showing-off, but nobody would mess with them because they had a huge older brother that would fight anybody that touches them on a moments notice. This combination is one that must continue to be consistent if the Bruins want to see continued success in the conclusion of the regular season, and potentially in the playoffs.