Boston Bruins: 3 takeaways from 2-1 overtime loss to the Devils

1. The Boston Bruins need to be better at 5-on-5.

Outside their top line of Marchand, Bergeron, and David Pastrnak, the Bruins struggled to get things going at 5-on-5 last season. So far this season, it’s the same story.

The B’s thought they could solve this problem by signing right wing Craig Smith, but so far this isn’t the case. With Pastrnak out due to offseason surgeries, the Black and Gold have struggled at 5-on-5 more than what was anticipated.

Through two full games, Boston has yet to score a goal at 5-on-5. Their three goals have only come from special teams — two from the powerplays in the first game and one shorthanded today.

This just won’t cut it. It was seen that unless the B’s got a powerplay or even a penalty kill, they were not going to score in either game.

It’s not even just about creating scoring chances, however. At 5-on-5, Boston just looked terrible. They didn’t play well in their own zone and just couldn’t drive the play in transition.

Something has to change before Pastrnak gets back. I’m afraid that even when Pasta does return, things aren’t going to be much different. This is because when Pasta returns, outside the first line right wing, the line up will be the same. From the second line down to the fourth line will remain what it is now unless there are injuries.