Boston Bruins: 3-1 win versus New York was a tale of two Charlies

The Boston Bruins have found their stride again; since the All-Star break, the team are in great form, with an 8-1-0 record.

There are many reasons behind the Boston Bruins’ improvement. One of them is the strong play of two players that share the same first name, Charlie Coyle and Charlie McAvoy.

The Boston Bruins are rolling again; a loss against the Detroit Red Wings from eight days back was just an anomaly. There is a promise of future greatness, mainly from Charlie Coyle and Charlie McAvoy. The Bruins will welcome this secondary scoring boost with open arms.

Prior to the All-Star break, Charlie McAvoy was experiencing a steady defensive season, however his offensive output was miserable. In fact in goal scoring terms, it was non-existent; he had to wait until February to notch his first tally of the season.

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It happened on February 5 in Chicago versus the Blackhawks in over-time. A huge relief for McAvoy and the Boston Bruins for sure. Lately, he has managed to put up really solid offensive performances ever since his first goal.

Now, McAvoy has a goal in back-to-back games. Who would have thought it?

Going forward, Boston Bruins fans might witness the full extent of McAvoy’s offensive abilities. It’s all about confidence and nothing else but a little luck, when you are as skilled and talented as McAvoy is.

The other much-improved offensive producer of late is his name-sake, Charlie Coyle. Against the New York Rangers on Sunday, Coyle recorded his 14th goal of the season. In 60 games, with his skill set, that’s not an outstanding number and Coyle himself knows it.

Now Coyle has a goal in back-to-back games and a total of five goals in his last seven games. On a shorthanded breakaway late in the second period at the Madison Square Garden, Coyle roofed the backhand shot past Alexandar Georgiev. That’s more like it for the Weymouth, Massachusetts native.

The 27-year-old currently sits on 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points. Can he reach 50 points? That sounds unlikely, even though anything can happen. If he does, it’s an impressive effort from the third line center spot.

The Boston Bruins don’t have a problem producing even-strength offensive opportunities. Their problem a lot of the time is finishing their chances.

Charlie Coyle has been the kind of a player who chooses to pass the puck one last time rather than shooting the puck himself. Coyle doesn’t have to be bothered with playing a pass-first game; he is proving to himself he has excellent finish and now, a nice confidence boost, as well.

If the two Charlies can keep up their fine form for the Boston Bruins, they’ll prove integral to holding Tampa Bay out of top spot in the Atlantic Division, allowing us a wild-card opponent rather than most likely the Toronto Maple Leafs (again!).