3. Jake DeBrusk has to have a better 200-foot game to be successful with the Boston Bruins in 2020-21.
Over his first two seasons, DeBrusk defensively-responsible winger. He had a combined plus/minus (+/-) of +15 and expected goals against (xGA) of 31.6 in each season.
However, something seemed to change in DeBrusk’s game this season. His +/- was just a -1 after being positive in both of his previous seasons and his xGA increased a bit to 31.9.
Furthermore, DeBrusk’s defensive point shares (DPS) went from a 1.7 and 1.4 over his first two seasons to just a 1.2 this season.
Additionally, after blocking 24 shots, having 45 hits, and having 42 takeaways last year, DeBrusk’s blocks, hits, and takeaways all dropped to 15, 35, and 26 respectively.
In fact, DeBrusk has been increasingly less physical each season — going from 70 hits his rookie year, to 45 hits last year, to just 35 hits this year.
I believe if DeBrusk wants to be successful this year he’ll have to be better defensively, in every zone. To do this, he has to be more physical, block more shots, and get into better position to create turnovers. This, in turn, will result in more scoring opportunities for himself and his line as a whole.