Three takeaways from the Bruins’ victory over the Coyotes
By jc
Boston’s power play needs to keep it clean
The Bruins had one of the NHL’s top power play units last season. They finished third in league in power play percentage and total power play goals.
Boston, however, conceded way too many shorthanded chances. In fact, no team allowed more shorthanded goals than the Bruins last year.
This season has been more of the same. Boston had some decent looks on the power play, but Arizona had scoring chances as well.
Boston had a great opportunity to extend the lead on a power play in the second. After Patrice Bergeron lost the opening faceoff, Michael Grabner flew past the defensemen and got a breakaway. David Pastrnak hooked him, so the man advantage lasted only eight seconds.
The Bruins got another power play in the third period. This one lasted the full two minutes, but not before Vinnie Hinostroza had a half-chance against Halak.
The Bruins need to clean it up on the power play. They can’t afford to turn the puck over and give up odd-man rushes. There’s simply way too much talent on both power play units.
One thing Cassidy can do is put two defensemen on the power play units. He’s done this so far with the second unit; Matt Grzelcyk joins Charlie McAvoy on the backend. The Bruins prefer roll four forwards with the first unit, but this can’t last if the shorthanded chances continue.