6 Bruins Observations From the First Week

As the Boston Bruins come home from a 1-1-1 season-opening three-game road trip, here are six observations from the first week as we inch closer to Thursday night’s home opener against the Philadelphia Flyers in an empty TD Garden.

1. Rask has been strong so far

It’s only been two games, but Tuukka Rask looks on top of his game. The 33-year-old is 1-1, but he stole the win in New Jersey last Thursday in the first game with two saves on breakaways in overtime and stopping all three Devils shootout attempts. He stopped 20 of the 22 shots he faced.

After Jaroslav Halak played in Saturday’s game, Rask needed to make only 16 saves in Monday’s 1-0 loss to the New York Islanders. The only goal he gave up was late in the third period when Jean-Gabriel Pageau batted the puck out of the air and into the net like a baseball player.

2. Offensive struggles

Monday’s effort was better against the Islanders, but it still failed to yield a goal 5-on-5. Through nine periods of regulation and two overtimes, the Bruins have found the back of the net just three times with two power play goals and a shorthanded tally.

After Monday’s performance, you have to think it’s only a matter of time before they start lighting the lamp behind the opponents’ goalie. Here’s hoping that getting back on the friendly confines of the TD Garden ice for the first time since March 7 helps to get the offense going.

3. Cassidy mixing and matching

Coach Bruce Cassidy has been trying to mix and match his lines since the second period of Saturday’s game in New Jersey. Just about everybody in the top nine has had a crack on the right wing on the first line with Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. Until David Pastrnak returns next month, expect to see that revolving door on the top line continue.

4. Frederic settling in

He may not end up producing points like a first-round draft pick he was in 2016 when Don Sweeney selected him 29th overall, but Trent Frederic has proved in his first three games that he won’t back down from anyone.

On the fourth line with Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner, Frederic got under the skin of P.K. Subban and drew a minor penalty in Saturday’s game against the Devils veteran blueliner. Frederic also spent time jawing with Subban after a couple of whistles. Give the kid credit, he’s not afraid of anyone and will go toe-to-toe no matter who’s wearing the opponents’ jersey.

5. Miller and Zboril defensive pairing

It was surprising when training camp broke that Kevan Miller moved ahead of Connor Clifton on the Bruins depth chart on defense, but the veteran has shown he is not going to back down despite not playing in an NHL game since April of 2019 because of his knee injury. He has been physical right from his first shift and dropped the gloves just 19 seconds into Saturday’s game with the Devils Miles Wood in response to his crashing into Rask twice during Thursday’s game.

Rookie Jakub Zboril has had an impressive start to the season paired with Miller. In three games, he’s averaged 19:01 a night and even getting some power play and penalty killing minutes. He has blocked three shots and dished out five hits with no giveaways. He looks like he belongs.

6. Ritchie is shooting the puck………… on net

Nick Ritchie has been more of an offensive presence early in the season than he was in his short stint following the trade last February. He scored a power play goal in the first game against New Jersey and then recorded a team-high six shots on net against the Islanders.

He is tied with Bergeron and Matt Grzelcyk with 11 shots on net in the first three games. At least, he’s shooting the puck.