There was plenty good for the Bruins in January.
As mentioned above, a 5-1-2 record in January is nothing to be ashamed of after not having the services of Pasta, the leading goal scorer with 48 last season. Let’s take a peek at some other positive things from January.
- Nick Ritchie picked up some of the offensive production in the absence of Pastrnak with four goals (all on the power play) and three assists. Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand led the way with five goals and six assists each for 11 points and defensemen Charlie McAvoy tied Ritchie with seven points with one goal and six assists.
- Last season the Bruins went winless in seven shootouts and already have won both of their skill competitions in 2021. They beat the Devils on opening night on a game-winner from Marchand on the final shot, while a week later, DeBrusk ended the shootout against the Flyers with a game-winner on the final shot. Rask, by the way, has stopped all six attempts against him in the shootouts to date.
- Boston was perfect in their first homestand of the season against the Flyers and Penguins. Both Pennsylvania teams have high hopes this season, but the Bruins beat Philly 5-4 in the above-mentioned shootout and then in 6-1 in a rout two nights later. The Pens didn’t fare any better, losing 3-2 in overtime, before being shut down by Boston 4-1 forty-eight hours later. Home sweet home.
- When Torey Krug left for the St. Louis Blues and Zdeno Chara left for the Washington Capitals in free agency, there were a lot of questions surrounding the blue line. So far, so good. McAvoy and Carlo have been good, but Kevan Miller has been a pleasant surprise, while youngsters Jakub Zboril and Jeremy Lauzon have proved they belong. Connor Clifton has been steady as a replacement for Grzelcyk.
All in all, it was a good month of January for the Bruins. Now as the calendar turns to February, things will start to heat up as they approach the mid-point of the shortened 56-game regular season.