The Boston Bruins have earned three out of possible four points facing their Atlantic Division foes, the Toronto Maple Leafs. What has truly come alive for the Bruins in that home-and-home set of games with the Leafs, was their secondary scoring.
When David Krejci, declared injured with an upper-body injury, was unfit to play, the Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy formed a new second line. He took Charlie Coyle to play with Jake Debrusk and Brett Ritchie.
Many fans were left infuriated upon the fact that Ritchie is the Bruins´ new top-six player instead of some talented options in Providence. However, Ritchie was able to prove his critics incorrect. Last night at TD Garden against the Maple Leafs, Ritchie collected a game-winning goal.
Midway through the third period with the game knotted at two apiece against your divisional rival. That´s not the worst time to record the game-winner. Brett Ritchie was able to accomplish that. The line combination with him, Coyle, and DeBrusk has actually worked wonders in those contests against Toronto.
On Tuesday at TD Garden, that line played 9:52 of the ice-time together and posted CF% of 62.50. Ritchie himself had CF% at exactly 60. His xGF% was at 54.57. You can argue that it was because of the solid play from the centerman Coyle, but Ritchie has impressed way more than on the bottom-six role. He took advantage of his opportunity.
Firstly, on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena, that line combined for the first Bruins goal, when Coyle found DeBrusk opened in the slot to bury one in past Frederik Andersen. Later in the third period, Ritchie swiped the puck to Danton Heinen, who snipped the shot to tie it up at two.
Secondly, on Tuesday night at TD Garden, it was DeBrusk leaving the puck loose for Ritchie, who snagged the puck past Michael Hutchinson to win the game for the Boston Bruins. After the quiet one-point start, now DeBrusk has two points in his last two games, the same for Ritchie.
Lastly, when Par Lindholm buried home the rebound of Sean Kuraly´s shot, the Bruins had two straight nights with two tallies from the guys not named Brad Marchand, or David Pastrnak. That´s fine progress.