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With New Additions, Reshaped Bruins’ Shift Focus To Playoffs

By Chris Mancuso

BOSTON - FEBRUARY 26: Boston Bruins' Charlie Coyle is welcomed to Boston by a fan during pre-game warmups prior to his home debut as a member of the team. The Boston Bruins host the San Jose Sharks in a regular season NHL hockey game at TD Garden in Boston on Feb. 26, 2019. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - FEBRUARY 26: Boston Bruins' Charlie Coyle is welcomed to Boston by a fan during pre-game warmups prior to his home debut as a member of the team. The Boston Bruins host the San Jose Sharks in a regular season NHL hockey game at TD Garden in Boston on Feb. 26, 2019. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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With the dust settled on the NHL trade deadline Tuesday night, the Boston Bruins continued to do what they do best and secured two more points vs the San Jose Sharks in a spirited 4-1 victory. Bruins fans everywhere got their first taste of the Bruins lineup (minus Pastrnak) that will battle for the Stanley Cup, and from a fans perspective, you have to be happy with what you’ve seen.

Even with the success of Ryan Donato in Minnesota (one goal, five assists through his first four  games), it was quite clear Tuesday night that the Bruins are a better team now than they were a week ago. The acquisition of Charlie Coyle has allowed Trent Frederic to continue his impressive development down in Providence.

Marcus Johansson was also added to the roster, coming in for a second round pick in 2019 and a fourth round pick in 2020. He’s has provided a very calming, reliable presence on that second line with David Krejci and Jake Debrusk. “Mojo” got his first point as a Bruin on Tuesday with an assist on Jake Debrusk’s 20th goal of the season, and overall that line looked very strong for a Bruins team who is now 10-0-4 in their last 14 games.

Overall, I think GM Don Sweeney did fairly well at the deadline. “The Don” was able to acquire two veteran players and add depth while holding onto the team’s most valuable assets. There just wasn’t enough reason to acquire the likes of Artemi Panarin or any other highly rated pending UFA when the Bruins feel they are an attractive free agency destination.

Now the question that needs to be answered is, is this roster good enough to get through the juggernaut that is the Tampa Bay Lightning? On paper, I would say no, but I am cautiously optimistic because this Bruins team finds a way to get the job done.

It may not always be pretty, or how they planned it, but Bruce Cassidy has this team digging deep in the crucial parts  of these games. The 14-game point streak has Bruins fans expecting at least a second round rematch versus the giants in Tampa.

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