2. Middle-six scoring production at even strength.
Yes, it’s been 10 games, but the Bruins have yet to see that consistent secondary scoring at even strength.
Boston has been hit with injuries to their middle-six forward groupings with Jake DeBrusk and Ondrej Kase out, which has led to some shuffling from coach Bruce Cassidy. Centers David Krejci and Charlie Coyle have had different combinations the last couple of games, which doesn’t help with chemistry.
Nick Ritchie has been producing offense, but that has mostly come on the power play. Craig Smith has scored three goals in his first season with the Black and Gold, but after that, most of the damage has been done by the Bruins’ top line.
Trent Frederic and Chris Wagner have been moved up from the fourth line to join Coyle on the third line, but neither of them will light up the scoresheet. Karson Kuhlman and Anders Bjork have been up in the middle-six, but that’s more out of necessity with the injuries that have piled up with the forwards.
Can the Bruins’ top line continue to produce like they are? Yes, but any help from the middle-six tonight would be welcomed offense.