The Boston Bruins need more from Charlie Coyle and Craig Smith

After a hot start to the season, the Boston Bruins have struggled of late. Over the Bruins’ past seven games, they have only scored more than one goal twice. In the past week, they have also been shutout twice. Although they have battled injuries, key players such as Charlie Coyle and Craig Smith have struggled to make an impact. While Bruins GM Don Sweeney has said he isn’t afraid of shaking up the roster getting Coyle and Smith back on track will be key to getting the Bruins offense out of its current slump.

Craig Smith

After a productive nine-year run in Nashville, Craig Smith signed a three-year deal with Boston in the offseason. Smith was brought in to boost the Bruins’ secondary scoring as he was almost automatic for 20 goals in a normal 82-game season. Through twenty-four games, however, the Wisconsin native has struggled to score. In the Bruins past nine games, Smith only has one point, and he has not scored a goal since February 25th. As the Bruins offense has endured its worst stretch, Smith has been invisible.

So far this season Smith has spent most of his time on the Bruins’ second or third line. He has also struggled to form chemistry with Charlie Coyle. As the Bruins look to improve their secondary scoring, they will need Smith to be more consistent.

Charlie Coyle

Entering the 2021 season, expectations were high for Charlie Coyle. The Weymouth native was coming off a great 2019-2020 campaign and was seemingly a perfect fit in Boston. This season, however, has not gone as expected for the Bruins center.

Through 24 games this season, Coyle has eight points, including five goals. The twenty-nine-year-old has also yet to record a power-play point after finishing with five last season. As the Bruins offense has struggled, Coyle is in the midst of the worst season in his career.

In the Bruins’ last six games, Coyle has struggled to generate any offense. The Bruins center has not landed a shot on the net or recorded a point in that span. If Coyle’s current stats were projected over an 82 game season, he would be on pace for career lows in goals and assists. The Bruins are at their best when Coyle is aggressive offensively and creating scoring chances.

Although the Bruins are expected to be busy at the trade deadline, they need players currently on the roster to step. Players like Coyle and Smith are better than they have shown, and their current struggles won’t last all season. As the Bruins look for solutions offensively, a return to form by Coyle and Smith would provide a significant boost.