Brad Marchand returned from suspension last night after missing the Boston Bruins previous five games and contributed in a big way. But this team didn’t miss a beat. The Bruins went 4-1 without their star player.
Before heading into the all-star break, Brad Marchand was served a five-game suspension for an elbow to the head of New Jersey Devils’ Marcus Johansson. He would miss the last game before the all-star break and then the following four games after. In that span of five games, the Boston Bruins went 4-1 and barely missed a step.
While a case for an “all-star” designation can be made for multiple players in the lineup, like Patrice Bergeron, Marchand was the only one representing the spoked B in Tampa. For a lot of teams, missing their all-star player can lead to a set of struggling games or change of pace.
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Danton Heinen Continues to Provide Value
However, during Marchand’s absence, the Bruins went 4-1 in very strong fashion. They outscored their opponents 14-9 in that span. It was Danton Heinen who got the chance to fill Marchand’s slot. It was in the most recent 3-2 win over Detroit that Heinen made his biggest impact on the score sheet with a goal and assist. In last night’s game, back on the third line, Heinen chipped in an assist on the Bruins first goal. Heinen continues to be one of the most productive rookies this season and his role on the team cannot be overstated.
A player’s ability to jump around different lines, whether due to suspension or injury, is key for a winning team. The 2017-2018 Boston Bruins seem to all be buying into each other. By that, I mean they are aware of everyone’s “game.” They understand how to play with each other all the way through the line-up. Whether Heinen is on the third-line with Backes or filling that top slot with Bergeron, his production, awareness and overall value on the ice does not change.
Winning Against Playoff Caliber Teams
The teams only loss and hiccup during this stretch was the first game back from the All-Star break. This 3-1 loss to Anaheim was an unusually slow game for the Bruins this year and they absolutely deserved to lose.
But, they bounced right back, even without their offensive leader Marchand. A 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues, followed by a 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both wins were a full team effort and a ton of fun to watch. Toronto is an obvious possible playoff preview. In my opinion, I think the Bruins are ready to win that series. If the season series shows anything, it will be a highly fast-paced, entertaining series.
Next: Bergeron and Marchand: A Boston Bruins Bromance
I think these five games were a good test for one of the hottest teams in the league. Could they keep up the offensive success without one of their leading scorers? How many points out of the ten would they be able to get? Who would be able to fill the shoes of Marchand? These were all questions heading into the suspension. But, with eight of out ten points and a winning attitude to be proud of, these Boston Bruins look ready to finish off the last thirty or so games of the season.