Boston Bruins: Brandon Carlo elevates his game in a shutdown role
Brandon Carlo continues to be a defensive force for the Boston Bruins this season.
When you think of the Boston Bruins defense, Brandon Carlo is never the name that comes to mind first. Nonetheless, Carlo might be the most reliable defenseman in the lineup right now.
After three years of steady progress, the Bruins inked Carlo to a two-year extension with a $2.85 million cap hit. This was a fair deal for both sides, and it was a sign that Boston expected continued development from Carlo.
So far, Carlo certainly lived up to his end of the bargain. In fact, he exceeded even what his biggest fans anticipated from him this season.
Brandon Carlo anchors Boston’s second defense pairing
In his first 39 games this season, Carlo averages almost 20 minutes of ice time per game. He usually plays on the second defense pairing alongside Torey Krug.
Carlo is the perfect complement to Krug because his steady play and strong defensive skills give Krug the leeway to jump up the ice and join the attack. Plus, Carlo is a remarkably great skater for his size, so he fits in when Krug and company try to pick up the pace.
In the most recent game against the Sabres, Carlo moved up to the top pair with Zdeno Chara because Krug and Charlie McAvoy were out with injuries. Carlo had one of his strongest games of the season, as he finished with one goal, one hit, and one takeway in over 26 minutes.
This builds off Carlo’s strong effort last Monday against the Capitals. Since Chara was out of the lineup, Carlo logged over 25 minutes versus Washington’s top forwards. He was up to the task all night, and he finished with a +2 rating.
Carlo was especially dominant on the penalty kill against the Capitals and Sabres. This special teams success is nothing new.
Carlo dominates the penalty kill alongside Zdeno Chara
We often value players like Krug for their roles on the power play. Even if his even-strength play lacks, Krug more than makes up for it with his power play production. We should do the same for Carlo on the penalty kill.
Carlo teams up with Chara on the top penalty kill unit, and they form one of the best tandems in the league. It’s not uncommon for them to be on the ice for almost the entire two-minute penalty.
With Carlo and Chara as the anchors, Boston kills over 84% of opposing power play opportunities. That’s well above the league average.
Carlo and Chara are so effective on the penalty kill because they both are physical and have long reaches. They block passing lanes, control the front of the net, and win puck battles more often than they lose them.
Carlo found his offensive touch this year for the Bruins
While his defensive play makes the biggest impact for the Bruins, Carlo contributes a little offensively. Based on his previous years, we can say that Carlo found his offensive tough this year.
After his empty-net goal in Buffalo, Carlo now has four goals and 11 assists this season. He only had two goals and eight assists last year. Actually, Carlo’s career high in points is 16, so he’s well on his way to break that mark.
Nobody ever will confuse Carlo for an offensive dynamo, but his production this year is a welcoming sign for Boston. Combine that production with his defensive work, and you see why Carlo is such a force for the Bruins.
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Carlo doesn’t show up on the scoresheet every night, but there’s no doubt he makes his presence felt for the Bruins. He takes advantage of mismatches on the second pairing, dominates on the penalty kill, and even contributes offensively.
We always think of Chara, McAvoy, and Krug as Boston’s anchors on defense, but Carlo is right there with them. On some nights, he may even be above them.