Boston Bruins: Are rest days going to become the new normal?
By Luke Ryan
The Boston Bruins may well be dipping their toes into new waters of late, what with the number of maintenance days being offered out.
Perhaps they’re learning something from the way they’re getting strong performances by tag-teaming their goaltenders? The Boston Bruins, after all, are one of few teams utilising their goalies pretty much 50/50.
Perhaps, they’ve taken hints from the way the Toronto Raptors gave Kawhi Leonard a not so insignificant amount of nights off on their run to the NBA Championship last year?
On Friday, not practising ahead of their big Saturday night clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs, for maintenance reasons, were Zdeno Chara, Torey Krug, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. That’s a very strong and significant group of players for the Boston Bruins.
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Additional to those two, David Krejci, Joakim Nordstrom and Patrice Bergeron all didn’t practise due to nagging injury concerns. This could be exactly the reason that the Boston Bruins are allowing star players time off from team practises.
While we’ve yet to see star players rested from actual games, unless of course they have legitimate injuries, it’s starting to feel like it’s only a matter of time. It will only take listening to that one sports scientist that determines we’d get the best from Chara or Krejci if they skipped one of a back-to-back, after all.
Zdeno Chara, of course, would benefit greatly given the significant chunk of ice-time he plays and the fact he’s now nearing his mid-forties. However, he’s also probably the guy least likely to be willing to take such advice and sit on by while his Boston Bruins teammates play without him.
David Krejci, on the other hand, has suffered numerous injury concerns of late it seems; perhaps having a few games off spread through the course of the year wouldn’t be the worst thing. Especially if Charlie Coyle and Par Lindholm can step up to the task of filling in for him.
Granted, it’s an expensive decision to make, but if it ensures a 100% fit Krejci when we hit the Stanley Cup Playoffs; well, you’d take it any day!
If Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak can be seen as interchangeable, maybe it’s time we start to consider whether there’s other elements of the roster that can become interchangeable.
Connor Clifton has had a strong start to the year, same with Matt Grzelyck – maybe they can fill the shoes of one of the top four defensemen, should one need a game or two off?
Obviously, it’s harder to replace a Krejci or a Bergeron, likewise a Marchand or a Pastrnak; but give someone a crack higher up the line-up, promote someone else to fill their spot – maybe Anders Bjork and let’s see if the Boston Bruins can keep winning with a different approach.
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Maybe this isn’t an idea for hockey and is better suited to basketball, where individuals often shine brighter than the team as a whole. Maybe though, it’s bold, different and might just work. I’d love for the Boston Bruins to be the ones that find out!