Boston Bruins: Grading the offense against the Blues and Rangers

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 27: Boston Bruins Left Wing Brad Marchand (63) works in front of New York Rangers Goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during an Eastern Conference matchup between the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers on October 27, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by David Hahn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 27: Boston Bruins Left Wing Brad Marchand (63) works in front of New York Rangers Goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during an Eastern Conference matchup between the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers on October 27, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by David Hahn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
4 of 4
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 27: Sean Kuraly #52 of the Boston Bruins skates against Brett Howden #21 and Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 27: Sean Kuraly #52 of the Boston Bruins skates against Brett Howden #21 and Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

Cehlarik-Kuraly-Backes (Nordstrom-Wagner): C+

The Bruins faced more injuries this weekend, so Cassidy had to make some changes to the fourth line.

Sean Kuraly was the only consistency on that line, as he played center in both games. Kuraly looked like his usual self, but he still waits to find the back of the net.

Joakim Nordstrom and Chris Wagner lined up with Kuraly against the Blues. They had a decent game, but the only thing that stood out was Wagner’s shot block that led to an injury.

Nordstrom picked up an infection, so he too missed the game against New York. Boston recalled Peter Cehlarik to take his place along with David Backes.

Kuraly, Cehlarik, and Backes were fine as a fourth line, but it’s obvious that Kuraly struggles with slower players like Backes.

Cehlarik looked capable in his first game in Boston, but for now Kuraly’s best linemates appear to be Nordstrom and Wagner.

All in all, the Bruins had a strong weekend offensively, largely because of the first line. The other lines, however, need to continue to step up their games.