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3 reasons why Bruins are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders

By Matt Hawkins

Apr 16, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Taylor Hall (71) celebrates his goal with right wing Craig Smith (12) and center David Krejci (46) during the second period against the New York Islanders at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Taylor Hall (71) celebrates his goal with right wing Craig Smith (12) and center David Krejci (46) during the second period against the New York Islanders at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 13, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Mike Reilly (6) skates with the puck in front of Buffalo Sabres center Arttu Ruotsalainen (25) during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Mike Reilly (6) skates with the puck in front of Buffalo Sabres center Arttu Ruotsalainen (25) during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /

3 reasons why the Bruins are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.
2. Ability to generate offense from the blueline and defensive depth

With the loss of defenseman Torey Krug the Bruins were relying on Matt Grzelcyk to take the next step and basically replace Krug at both 5-on-5 and on the powerplay. While Grizz has played well and has been a main play driver from Boston’s blueline when healthy, he has struggled to remain on the ice due to injuries.

Grzelcyk has only played in 25 games this season, recording three goals and 10 assists for 13 points. Without him in the lineup, the Black and Gold have to heavily rely on Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo to drive the puck up ice.

However, Carlo has also been injured quite a bit recently. He was knocked out of action for around a month after receiving a high check from Washington’s Tom Wilson and is now out again with a different upper-body injury.

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This left McAvoy as the only defenseman in the lineup that could truly be relied on to successfully move the puck up ice. However, having just one guy from the blueline that could do this is just not enough, no matter how great McAvoy is.

Sweeney realized the B’s needed another defenseman that could be relied on to move the puck. Insert Mike Reilly to the second defensive pairing.

Before being acquired by Boston, Reilly had 19 assists in 40 games with the Sens. Since joining the Black and Gold, Reilly has continued to rack up assists (two in four games) while also playing solid defense on the second pairing and manning the point on the first powerplay unit.

Reilly has been exactly what the B’s needed at the blueline with his ability to generate offense as a defenseman. He gives Boston much needed defensive depth, experience, and options.

When Grzelcyk, Carlo, and Kevan Miller return, the B’s will have a very strong blueline — both from an offense-generating standpoint and defensive standpoint.

A fully healthy Bruins’ defense could look like:

Grzelcyk – McAvoy
Reilly – Carlo
Lauzon/Zboril – Miller
Extras: Tinordi, Kampfer, Clifton

The group gives the B’s not only a top four that can shut down the opposition but also skate and drive the play up the ice with ease. This also allows the B’s to be able to effectively manage the amount that Miller plays during a game and during the rest of the season in general.

Additionally, this allows Boston to switch Jeremy Lauzon and Jakub Zboril in and out of the lineup depending on who is playing well, matchups, and who needs a break. This can also be done with Miller, Steve Kampfer, and Connor Clifton.

So while the B’s had an inability to create defense from their defensemen before the deadline, they now have a great ability to do so when fully healthy. Additionally, they once had a lack of depth at their blueline, now they have an abundance of capable D-men.

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