Boston Bruins: Brandon Carlo elevates his game in a shutdown role

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.

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.