Boston Bruins: Sean Kuraly has become a real game-changer
Boston Bruins head coach, Bruce Cassidy, has learned to fully trust his fourth line and even have them start the game. A lot of that trust has to do with center Sean Kuraly.
The fourth line for many NHL teams is considered the ‘energy line’, who will come into the game to change the pace and not be expected to score, but at least be serviceable. For the Boston Bruins however, it has become much more than that and you’d have to say Sean Kuraly is key.
Sean Kuraly was acquired by the Boston Bruins on June 30th, 2015 when they sent goaltender Martin Jones to the San Jose Sharks and has since earned his way into an important role with the team.
This season, Kuraly played in 71 games producing 8 goals and 13 assists, with a +6 rating. These numbers may not jump off the page, but being a player who can play the wing or center and show dominance on the fourth line is something that can be a big advantage for a team like the Boston Bruins.
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Sean Kuraly missed most of the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs while recovering from right hand surgery and it began to look like the Bruins were on their way out of the playoffs.
Kuraly would return in Game 5 and while he was non-factor in that game, he was clearly getting his legs back under him.
As you could see the rest of the series, Sean Kuraly was the game-changer the Bruins needed to beat the young gun Maple Leafs.
The unique combination of speed and physicality that Kuraly provides to the Boston Bruins fourth line and penalty kill is why he is so important to the roster.
In Game 7 against Toronto, he showed exactly that, when he provided an assist and the back-breaking third goal in the third period, as he got by Ron Hainsey and managed to snipe home the goal that would end the Maple Leafs comeback efforts in that one.
Kuraly’s penalty kill efforts have been outstanding all season as well long and through the playoffs, being trusted by Cassidy to stop the opponent in the best way possible. The mindset of ‘whatever it takes’ is why Sean Kuraly is the perfect Boston Bruins player in this current day NHL.
In no way is Sean Kuraly expected by fans to light up the score sheet, but the confidence you can feel as a fan when he is out there hasn’t been done by a fourth line since 2011 with Gregory Campbell and Daniel Paille.
Next. Tuuka Rask really heating up. dark
The ability he constantly shows of being a pain in the opponents neck and being able to create opportunities is why Sean Kuraly is the Boston Bruins game-changer.