Week 12 was brought to a close for the NHL and the Boston Bruins by the Christmas holiday break. The Bruins couldn’t have asked for a better week.
Merry Christmas everyone. Aren’t you all super excited that Charlie McAvoy plays for the Boston Bruins? I know I am. After watching him in the playoffs last April against the Senators, anyone watching knew he could be something special and we are seeing him develop into a full blown superstar right before our eyes.
He just turned 20 within the past week and he has been averaging over 23 minutes a night just behind Zdeno Chara for most on the team. McAvoy also has 19 points ( 5 Goals, 14 Assists) which is good for 6th on the team, and is a key fixture in both specialty units. What can’t this kid do?
Coming into the season we knew McAvoy would be an important piece to this team, and he has passed every test with flying colors. He plays on the first D-pair with captain Zdeno Chara against other teams’ top lines.
He is strong both offensively and defensively, plays physical along the boards, and I have to mention this again, he is just 20 years old. Can you imagine how good he could be in 2-3 years, I am almost overcome with excitement I can’t wait.
But on to the games the Bruins played this week, the Bruins had four games on the docket, two against some of the NHL’s best Columbus and Winnipeg and two against some of the NHL’s worst Buffalo, and Detroit.
Now I don’t think I am overstating anything when I say this was the best week of hockey the Bruins have played in a while. They went 4-0-0 and outscored their opponents 15-4 over the four games. Heading into Christmas and the new year, the Bruins are most definitely playing their best hockey of this season.
Game 1: Columbus Blue Jackets
On Monday night, the Bruins took on the Blue Jackets in an attempt to end their mini two game slide, and oh boy did they ever. In the first period the Bruins took the lead as Brad Marchand’s 14th goal of the season gave the Bruins an early 1-0 lead after 1.
The Bruins would add to their lead midway through the second period as Jake DeBrusk would score on the PP to double the B’s lead. Minutes later, again on the PP Charlie McAvoy would give the the Bruins their second PP goal of the night and their third of the game. The Bruins had a comfortable 3-0 lead at the end of 2 periods.
In the third, that’s where the Bruins offense absolutely exploded. After the Jackets scored to make it a 3-1 game, the Bruins completely took over. In a matter of 6 minutes, the Bruins scored 4 times and every time you looked up the Bruins scored another goal.
The B’s got goals from Danton Heinen, Torey Krug, Patrice Bergeron, and Jake Debrusk to make it a 7-1 game. The Jackets would score a meaningless PP goal late in the game but the Bruins trash the Jackets and win 7-2.
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Game 2: Buffalo Sabres
On the second night of a back to back, the Bruins made a quick trip to Buffalo to take on the Sabres. After a scoreless 1st period, it was the Bruins who scored first for the second game in a row. Halfway through the period it was a superb shot by Jake DeBrusk that gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead after two periods.
In the third, the Bruins defense and goalie Anton Khudobin stood tall and kept the Sabres at bay. the game remained 1-0 until the Bruins got two empty netters first from Tim Schaller and then David Backes to seal a 3-0 Bruins victory.
Full recap here.
Game 3: Winnipeg Jets
Back in Boston on Thursday night, the Bruins hosted the Jets on Charlie McAvoy’s 20th birthday. After an exciting, albeit scoreless first two periods, the Bruins and the Jets were preparing for a crucial third period, with both teams searching for the first goal of the game. Both goalies, Tuukka Rask and Connor Hellebuyck were both equally strong as both goaltenders made some good saves in the first two frames.
In the third, just like the previous two games, the Bruins scored the first goal again as a Torey Krug shot beat Hellebuyck and gave the B’s a late 1-0 lead. However, just a minute after that, after a couple defensive mistakes, the Jets would tie the game and we would head to OT. After 5 minutes of 3 on 3 OT, it was still 1-1 and the game would be decided by a skills competition aka the shootout.
In round 1 it was the Jets who would score, but the Bruins would respond in round 2 as a nasty David Pastrnak move beat Hellebuyck and tied the shootout. In round 3 both shooters were and stopped. In round 4 the Jets went first and Nikolaj Ehlers was stopped and the birthday boy himself skated to center ice with a chance to win the game. And of course he beat Hellebuyck with a great low blocker shot and on his 20th birthday, McAvoy gifted the Bruins a 2-1 shootout win.
Full recap here.
Game 4: Detroit Red Wings
Wrapping up the week with a Saturday matinee against the Red Wings, with the Bruins looking for an undefeated week and their fourth win in a row. Just like the other games during the week, the Bruins scored first courtesy of Brad Marchand on the PP in the first period.
Before the period ended however, the Wings would equalize while shorthanded and we would head into the break tied at 1. After a goalless middle frame, the Bruins were looking for the full 2 points against the struggling Red Wings.
The Bruins would score next as Patrice Bergeron scored to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead. The score would remain the same until Bergeron would score his second of the game, converting on the unguarded cage from center ice, capping off the game and the Bruins finished the week 4-0-0 with a 3-1 win over Detroit.
Full recap here.
The Road Ahead
After the Christmas break the Bruins schedule is as followed:
- Wednesday night vs Ottawa Senators
- Thursday night at Washington Capitals
- Saturday night at Ottawa Senators
Next: Bruins players holiday wish lists
Predictions
After an undefeated week, the Bruins have three games next week and I can see them keeping the momentum rolling as the Bruins will beat the Senators on Wednesday and Saturday night but will fall to the Capitals because they always lose to the Caps. The Bruins will finish next week at 2-1-0.