The Boston Bruins are arguably the hottest team in the NHL, behind only possibly the Colorado Avalanche. How did this past week treat the team?
After the victory on Saturday against the Canadians, the Boston Bruins have now recorded at least a point in the previous 16 games. They haven’t lost in regulation since December 14th against the Washington Capitals. More impressively, the Bruins are 12-0-4 over that stretch and they have skyrocketed up to third overall in the NHL and sit just 3 points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for first in the Atlantic Division with 1 game in hand.
The Bruins also have the least amount of regulation losses in the NHL with only 10. Each and every game, the Bruins look like actual Stanley Cup Contenders. It’s a drastic and quick improvement, over where this team was just 2-3 years ago.
A huge amount of credit goes to Don Sweeney and Cam Neely, who in just a few years have rebuilt what was an empty farm system. They now have prospects bursting at the seams, whether they be in Providence, the NCAA, or junior leagues in Canada or Europe, it’s remarkable. This team is playing exceptionally well right now, and with the great amount of talent they have in the pipeline, the Bruins could be set up for many years to come.
On to the games played this week, the Bruins had four games, the first two at home, then traveling out for the final two of the week. After faltering on Monday dropping a point to Dallas, the Bruins quickly and decisively rebounded for three impressive regulation wins.
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Game 1: Dallas Stars
Returning home after their shootout victory against the Canadians, the Bruins started slow against the Stars in a Monday matinee. The scoring didn’t get started until the second period, as Dallas scored twice early in the 2nd period, to give the Stars a 2-0 advantage. Before the period ended, the Bruins would cut into the lead as a Zdeno Chara blast would get the Bruins on the scoreboard, and the Bruins would head into the locker room down 1.
Midway through the third, the Bruins would tie the game, courtesy of Ryan Spooner‘s shot which slipped through Stars’ goalie Kari Lehtonen and equalized the game at 2. The game would head to OT, where former Bruin Tyler Seguin danced around a tired Bruins defense and won the game for the Stars 3-2 in overtime.
Full recap here.
Game 2: Montreal Canadians
After falling on Monday afternoon, the Bruins hosted the Montreal Canadians in Claude Julien’s return to Boston. The Habs would jump out to a quick lead just 31 seconds in. But, after that goal it was almost all Bruins the rest of the game. Before the frame was over the Bruins would tie up the game courtesy of David Pastrnak scoring his 18th goal of the season.
In the middle period, the Bruins would take the lead as Ryan Spooner continued his strong run of play and gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead. Heading into the final frame, it was only a one goal game and the game was still in the balance.
The Bruins would add to the lead as Brad Marchand converted on the PP early in the third period. The Bruins would hold onto the 3-1 lead, until David Krejci scored on the empty net to give the Bruins a convincing 4-1 victory over the Canadians.
Full recap here.
Game 3: New York Islanders
With the victory over Montreal in the rear view mirror, the Bruins make a quick trip down to Brooklyn for a tilt on Thursday against the Islanders. The home team would score first, but Patrice Bergeron would tie the game before the period ended.
In the second, is where the Bruins really took control. Ryan Spooner would score again halfway through the second period to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead. Minutes later, Patrice Bergeron would score his 2nd goal of the game on the PP, to give the Bruins a 3-1 advantage after 40 minutes.
Bergeron would complete the hat trick early in the period, his second hat trick in a two week span. The Islanders would cut it to a two goal game late, but Brad Marchand would score on the unguarded cage and the Bruins leave Brooklyn with a 5-2 victory.
Full recap here.
Game 4: Montreal Canadians
For the third time in eight days, the Bruins face off with the Canadians, and the Bruins are looking for a third win over the Habs. Like the previous game against the Canadians on Wednesday, the Habs scored first to give the Canadians a 1-0 lead in the 2nd period.
The Bruins battled back and took the lead before the period ended. David Pastrnak scored first, then Torey Krug scored 2 minutes later to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead after 2 periods.
Late in the final period, David Pastrnak scored his 2nd of the game and essentially put the game out of hand for Montreal. Riley Nash would tack on the empty netter to give the Bruins another 4-1 victory over the Habs.
Full recap here.
Next: Bruins have found Merlot Line 2.0
The Road Ahead
- Tuesday vs New Jersey
- Thursday at Ottawa
Predictions
After another very impressive week, I see the Bruins point streak continuing to 18 games. The Bruins go 2-0-0 this week and jump into first place in the Atlantic Division.