One of the biggest reasons the Boston Bruins have been on an absolute tear recently? The offense has been clicking top to bottom.
Starting off with the final game of 2017 against the Senators, and including the three games in 2018, the Boston Bruins have scored 5 or more goals in 4 straight games. They scored 5 goals against the Sens, 5 against the Islanders, 7 against the Hurricanes, and 5 against the Penguins.
That totals 22 goals in 4 games. Unsurprisingly, they pulled 7 out of 8 points in those games. The only forwards not to score so far in 2018 is Sean Kuraly, and David Krejci. In just three games in 2018, 10 different forwards have already scored.
Along with the offense clicking, the defense and goaltending is also holding up their end of the bargain as well. Outside of the most recent game against the Penguins (more on that later in the post) the Bruins held both the Islanders and the Hurricanes to one goal each.
Tuukka Rask, after his early struggles seems to be back to what he is capable of, playing near a Vezina Trophy level recently. And just as important, Anton Khudobin is a very reliable backup that the team can use so Cassidy doesn’t have to ride Rask for 60+ games this season.
On to the first week of games in 2018, the Bruins originally at 4 games scheduled during the week, but Thursday’s tilt against the Panthers was postponed due to the Bomb Cyclone that hit New England during the week. Sadly, the Bruins are no longer undefeated in 2018, but have gained points in all of their games so far in the new year.
Game 1: New York Islanders
Starting off 2018, the Bruins took on the Islanders in Brooklyn and were looking to keep up their momentum they had at the end of 2017. About halfway through the first period, the Bruins got on the board first, as standout rookie Danton Heinen gave the Bruins an early 1-0 lead. However, a minute later the Islanders tied up the game and the 1st period ended tied up at 1.
In the middle frame, the Bruins would regain the lead as Patrice Bergeron banked home a puck off of the Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak just as a Bruins power play expired. The puck took a crazy bounce over Halak, and Bergeron was the lucky recipient. The Bruins held a 2-1 lead after 2 periods.
When both teams came out to the ice, the Bruins offense really controlled the game in the 3rd period. While nursing a one goal lead, Brad Marchand scored his 16th goal of the season, and gave the Bruins a 3-1 lead with 10 minutes left in the period. Seeking to put the game out of reach, the Bruins found a fourth goal as the fourth line converted on the offensive end once again as Tim Schaller beat Halak and the Bruins had a 4-1 lead late in the 3rd. Noel Acciari scored on the empty net and the Bruins flew back to Boston with a 5-1 victory over the Islanders.
Full recap here.
Game 2: Carolina Hurricanes
After their game on Thursday was postponed, the Bruins hosted the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night and the offense came to play. Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward started the game, but he was gone just 5 minutes in. The Bruins scored twice on 2 shots, as Patrice Bergeron scored shorthanded and moments later Riley Nash doubled the lead.
Ward was then pulled and in came Scott Darling. Unfortunately for the ‘Canes, things didn’t get better. Before the period ended, the Bruins would score 3 more times, ending the frame with a 5-1 lead.
After the Canes scored to make it 2-1. the Bruins got 3 unanswered in the period. David Pastrnak scored on the PP, then Jake DeBrusk tipped home a Ryan Spooner shot. Patrice Bergeron would score his second goal of the period and the game was pretty much over right there.
In the middle period, fans were on Patrice Bergeron hat trick watch, and they got that and more. Bergeron would score his 3rd and 4th goals of the game, giving the Bruins a 7-1 lead after two. The last Bergeron hat trick occurred in 2011. Along with Bergeron’s 4 goals, Marchand had a career high 4 assists in the game as well.
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In the 3rd period, with the game already out of hand, the Bruins just played strong defensively and shut down the Hurricanes. One note on the game, Ryan Spooner did not finish the game, but he did play Sunday against Pittsburgh. The Bruins rocked the Hurricanes 7-1, before heading to Pittsburgh.
Full recap here.
Game 3: Pittsburgh Penguins
One night after playing the Canes, the Bruins flew down to Pittsburgh for the second half of the back-to-back. The Bruins would score first again, as Ryan Spooner knocked home a puck right in front of the crease and gave the Bruins an early 1-0 lead. After the goal, however the Pens took control for the rest of the period. The Penguins would score 3 times the period and the Bruins were in an early hole after 20 minutes.
In the second period, the Bruins offense took over once again. The B’s would score 4 goals in the period and take the lead after the 2nd period. The Bruins would score two quick goals to tie up the game. Brad Marchand would score first, before Noel Acciari would continue his hot streak, deflecting home a Brandon Carlo goal to tie the game at 3.
A great individual effort by David Pastrnak would give the Bruins a 4-3 lead, before David Backes would add to the lead with his goal to make it 5-3. But, with just 3 seconds left in the period, the Bruins penalty all converged in the corner and the puck found its way to a wide open Evgeni Malkin to make it a one goal game after 2 periods.
Early in the third, the Pens would tie the game and the Bruins were gassed. After playing on Saturday, the Bruins were hanging on most of the period, playing in their own end for what seemed like an eternity at points. With one minute left, the Bruins were awarded a penalty shot, but Brad Marchand was stopped and the game headed to OT.
In the extra frame, a tired Bruins squad got stuck in their defensive zone, and with the long change guys couldn’t get off the ice. A great Phil Kessel pass found Geno Malkin in front of the net and the Bruins would fall 6-5 in OT.
Full recap here.
Next: Bruins Throwback: Could have signed Hedberg & Nilsson
The Road Ahead
With the Bye week coming up the Bruins don’t play again until Saturday where they travel to play the rival Montreal Canadians.
Predictions
The Canadians are struggling this year and with the Bruins on a great run, the Bruins will defeat the Canadians and finish the week 1-0-0.