Teams that have long postseason runs usually roll four lines, and the Boston Bruins last year were no exception.
Sean Kuraly, Joakim Nordstrom, and Chris Wagner made up an impressive fourth line for Boston. Coach Bruce Cassidy trusted them in important situations, and this trust paid off on more than one occasion.
Not only that, but the fourth line provided some offense when the team needed it. Kuraly and Wagner in particular stepped up and surpassed expectations with their production.
Kuraly chipped in for 21 points in the regular season, and then he had 10 points in the playoffs. He scored a couple big goals, including one in the third period game seven against Toronto.
Wagner had his best season to date, as he finished with 12 goals and 19 total points in the regular season. Fourth liners typically don’t reach double-digit goals, but Wagner was an exception.
Given last season’s production, Boston’s fourth liners started this year with high expectations. But, through the first 20 games, Kuraly, Nordstrom, and Wagner have yet to reach them.
So far, the trio only has 11 total points, which averages out to a point every other game. If this average stays the same for the rest of the reason, Kuraly, Nordstrom, and Wagner will finish with 45 points. They combined for 52 points last year.
On top of that, Kuraly and Wagner are both minus players, and Nordstrom is even. Plus/minus certainly isn’t the most telling statistic, but it’s something we need to consider. Both Kuraly and Wagner, after all, were plus players last season.
What’s with the drop in production? Part of it seems like an expected regression to the norm. Kuraly and Wagner were great last year, but as fourth liners, we can’t expect them to play like that every season. Wagner last year scored five more goals than he ever did before!
Injuries also are a factor this year. Nordstrom, for instance, only suited up for nine of 20 games. Wagner also missed a game.
Not only that, but because of injuries in the top nine, the Bruins fourth line often faces tougher matchups than they did last year. At times, it looks like Kuraly centers the the third line as opposed to the fourth line.
Regardless of injuries and matchups, however, the Bruins need more production from the fourth line. Kuraly and Wagner especially need to drive some offense when they are on the ice. They may be fourth liners, but in the modern NHL, teams must have production from the bottom six.