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Boston Bruins: 5 Stars of the First 14 Games

By Scott Roche

Feb 10, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins checks Ryan Lindgren #55 of the New York Rangers against the boards during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins checks Ryan Lindgren #55 of the New York Rangers against the boards during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 12: Nick Ritchie #21 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench in the second period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in February 12, 2021, in New York City. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, games are played without fans in attendance. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 12: Nick Ritchie #21 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench in the second period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in February 12, 2021, in New York City. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, games are played without fans in attendance. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Fourteen games into the 2021 season, the Boston Bruins are in first place in the East Division with a 10-2-2 record. To some, that may be a surprise considering that general manager Don Sweeney’s biggest move in the offseason was to add a middle-six forward in Craig Smith in free agency.

Boston lost blueliners Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara to free agency to the St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals respectively, leaving the Bruins defense a young group in front of goalies Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak.

Despite just one addition to the roster that was eliminated from the Toronto playoff bubble by the Tampa Bay Lightning last August and two losses on defense, the Bruins are still record-wise, one of the top teams in the league. Here are five players that have had a big hand in their surprising start to the season in the first quarter of the campaign.

No. 5 – Nick Ritchie

Believe it or not, Ritchie is having a better season than most expected following a dismal start to his Bruins career following last season’s trade from the Anaheim Ducks.

He is tied for third on the team in goals with five and he is tied for fourth in points with 10 with David Krejci and David Pastrnak. When Pastrnak was out to begin the season recovering from hip surgery, Ritchie was a big part of the power play’s early success in the season with four goals and three assists on the man advantage. His only even-strength goal was last Friday night in a 1-0 victory over the New York Rangers.

He has seemed to find a home, for now, on the second line with David Krejci at left wing and has been one of the better middle-six forwards.

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