After an undefeated week last time out, the Boston Bruins seemed to have turned a corner this year and it coincides with key guys getting healthy.
In the last two games, the Boston Bruins saw the return of Brad Marchand, David Backes, Jake DeBrusk and David Krejci and they played extremely well. Along with the return of key players, the Bruins also saw stellar play from Tuukka Rask this week.
In his two starts this week, he gave up 1 goal in each game and almost helped the Bruins rally in Nashville and steal a win. As my title says, this team is good. Their top line of Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak is one of the best all around lines in hockey. Bjork and DeBrusk are contributing as rookies and they finally found a solid role for David Backes as third line center, flanked by Riley Nash and Danton Heinen.
On the defensive side, Charlie McAvoy is awesome on the blue line and going to be a great member of this team for a long time. Now, because McAvoy is playing so well, it allows Cassidy to limit the ice time of Zdeno Chara. He is still on the top pairing but McAvoy can handle more defensive responsibilities and that lets Chara play less each game.
And after some early season struggles from Tuukka Rask, he is playing well now and it’s a great sign for all the members of #TeamTuukka who has always had his back and knew he would rebound.
But onto the games this week, the Bruins had three games this week first in Nashville, then two games at home against the Coyotes and the Islanders. Let’s go.
Game 1: Nashville Predators
On Monday night in Nashville, the Bruins attempted to take win both season games against the defending Western Conference champions. Let’s just say it didn’t start off so well. In the first period, the Bruins got off to a slow start as the Predators got two goals in the first, both scored by Craig Smith. He scored very early in the first and very late in the period, putting the Bruins in an early hole.
It didn’t get much better in the second as the Preds got another two goals early in the period, putting the Bruins down 4-0. The Bruins pulled goalie Anton Khudobin after the 4th goal, but the game was pretty much over. Charlie McAvoy scored on the PP to give the Bruins some hope entering the final frame, but the Bruins were down 4-1.
Early in the period, the Bruins came out firing, scoring two quick goals from Chara and Pastrnak cutting the lead to one. But just 1 minute after the Pastrnak goal the Predators scored their fifth goal and that was it for the Bruins. The final horn sounded and the Bruins fell to the Preds 5-3.
Full recap here.
Game 2: Arizona Coyotes
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Returning home, the Bruins wanted to establish their home advantage. They did that quite quickly as Brad Marchand scored 15 seconds in. The Bruins had a strong 1st period until the Coyotes got one back late in the period and the frame ended 1-1.
In the second, the Bruins got two goals from David Backes, his first two of the season and if the Bruins want to go far, David Backes on the third line could be a huge factor. If he commands the the third line, it could be a huge advantage going forward.
Going into the third, the Bruins scored early again. Just 45 seconds in David Krejci converted on the PP after some very slick passing around the net. Now up 4-1, the Bruins put the dagger in the Coyotes as Heinen scored the fifth and a minute after Anders Bjork finished off the 6 pack and the Bruins defeated the Coyotes 6-1 at the TD Garden.
Full recap here.
Game 3: New York Islanders
Looking for a strong end to a strong week, the Bruins hosted the Islanders. After a scoreless first period, the Bruins scored first as Brad Marchand deposited on the PP to give the Bruins a 1-0. In the third, the Bruins and Islanders were battling for the winner.
Jake DeBrusk doubled the lead early in the period, but late in the period, the Islanders got one back and the game was still in doubt. But the Bruins hunkered down defensively, and Danton Heinen iced the game with an empty netter giving the Bruins a 3-1 victory.
Full recap here.
Next: Look back at the Bruins 2015 Draft
The Road Ahead
The Bruins play three times this week. The first head to Detroit on Wednesday night, before returning home on Thursday to play the Capitals and wrapping up the week on Saturday night hosting the Rangers.
Predictions
With three games upcoming and the Bruins playing well, I will predict the Bruins will finish 2-1-0 claiming victory against the Red Wings and Capitals before falling to the Rangers on Saturday night.