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Boston Bruins: 3 Surprises so far in 2021

By Scott Roche

Feb 1, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA;Boston Bruins defenseman Jakub Zboril (67) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals left wing Conor Sheary (73) defends in the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA;Boston Bruins defenseman Jakub Zboril (67) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals left wing Conor Sheary (73) defends in the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-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 on 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 on February 12, 2021 in New York City.Due to COVID-19 restrictions games are played without fans in attendance. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

1. Nick Ritchie

Acquired at the trade deadline in February of 2020 from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Danton Heinen, Ritchie struggled in the 2020 regular season and in the Toronto playoff bubble. It got to the point this offseason as to whether or not Sweeney might look to move him in trade.

Sweeney and the front office decided to hold onto him and the results have been far better than what people might have thought at the beginning of the season. He has eight goals and seven assists as the left wing on the second line with David Krejci.

With Pastrnak recovering from offseason hip surgery in January, Ritchie stepped in and filled his void on the Bruins first power play unit. He has been a solid net-front presence on the man advantage and it has paid off with five goals and four assists on the special teams unit. Even when Pastrnak returned, Ritchie has been a big part of the power play.

Must Read. Bruins vs NYR 3/11/21: Game preview, lineups, more. light

So far in 2021, the Bruins are getting the Nick Ritchie they hoped they were getting when they swung the trade last February. Without him and his production, there is no telling where they might be in the standings today.

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