Boston Bruins: Regulation Wins Carry More Weight in 2021
The Boston Bruins will begin a key four-game road trip tonight in Washington against former captain Zdeno Chara and the Capitals. Fresh off of a season-opening homestand that saw the Bruins win all four games against the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins, this will be a key trip for the Black and Gold.
While things went well at the friendly confines of the TD Garden against the two Pennsylvania teams, the Bruins will need to follow up the homestand success with a good road trip.
Over the past four games, the Bruins have come out strong and set the tone early in the opening period against the Flyers and Pens. If they want to have success against the Caps, they would need that trend to continue.
Bruins need to start winning games in regulation.
The 2021 NHL season is one that is different in many ways. One of the biggest ways that it’s different is with the realigned divisions.
Boston is in the loaded East Division, which is not very favorable with the new playoff format this season. In a 56-game shortened regular season, there is little room for error each night collecting points in the division. With only the top four teams making the postseason, winning games in regulation have more importance this season than any other year.
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Twice in the homestand against the Flyers and Penguins, the Bruins held third-period leads, only to give them up and being forced into overtime. Boston won both games, beating the Flyers in a shootout and Penguins in overtime, but they allowed each team to get a point.
With two games in Washington beginning tonight and then two more in Philadelphia against the Flyers, it would be in Boston’s best interest to win games in regulation.
Splitting points with anyone this year could be the difference in finishing in the top four and in the playoffs, or in the bottom four and missing out on the postseason. The Bruins have been dealing with injuries in the first seven games and might get some good news tonight if David Pastrnak is able to make his season debut.
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The Bruins are 5-1-1 and two points behind the Caps heading into their next two games. Taking care of business in regulation this season against everyone is in the best interest of the Black and Gold.