Boston Bruins: 3 Keys to Victory Against the Pittsburgh Penguins

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 18: Head coach Bruce Cassidy of the Boston Bruins handles bench duties against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on January 18, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders shut-out the Bruins 1-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 18: Head coach Bruce Cassidy of the Boston Bruins handles bench duties against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on January 18, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders shut-out the Bruins 1-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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Jan 23, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) scores a goal during the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) scores a goal during the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

2. The Boston Bruins will need to stay disciplined and win the special teams battle.

In order to slow down the Penguins’ top stars, it’s pivotal that the Bruins are to win the special teams battle.

Heading into this game, the Penguins find themselves in the top ten in power play percentage with a 27.8% success rate so far in the season and have scored five of their nineteen goals thus far on the man advantage.

While the Bruins’ 90% success rate on the penalty kill has been an early confidence-booster, they haven’t yet had to face a power play unit as potent as the Penguins and will need to steer clear of the penalty box to minimize the amount of ice time that unit gets.

On the flip side, the Bruins’ 35.3% success rate on the power play currently ranks sixth in the league while the Penguins penalty kill (76.2%) finds itself in the bottom half.

The Bruins’ ability to draw penalties and to stay disciplined will be instrumental towards limiting the Penguins offense and ultimately defeating them.