Boston Bruins: Four Keys to the Final Nine Games of the Season

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And down the stretch, we come.

Following a six-game winning streak that gave the Boston Bruins an eight-point lead over the New York Rangers for the fourth and final East Division playoff spot, but after two consecutive loss to the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins, the Rangers are quietly just four points behind the Black and Gold.

Boston does have two games in hand on the Blue Shirts with nine games remaining in the 56-game 2021 regular season. The Bruins had visions of not only claiming the fourth spot in the division, but also moving up in the standings. That might be a dream now as the Penguins have climbed into first place, seven points clear of the Bruins.

While the Bruins could catch Washington Capitals and New York Islanders for second or third place, their main concern should be holding off the Rangers right now. The Rangers have seven games remaining, including their final two of the season at TD Garden against the Bruins on May 6 and 8.

Boston on paper does have the easier schedule remaining. Following tonight’s game against the Penguins, Boston has two games with Sabres, two with the Devils and one each with the Islanders and Capitals, along with their two with the Rangers.

The Rangers have one tonight with Buffalo, then two with the Islanders, two with the Capitals, and then their last two in with the Bruins.

Boston is not in a position to hope for help from the Islanders and Capitals, they need to take care of business beginning tonight in Pittsburgh, then in their next four games against the Sabres and Devils. Again, the Bruins have the easier schedule on paper, but as we know, paper doesn’t guarantee anything.

With that said, here are four keys to the final nine games for the Bruins to complete their march to the postseason and hold off the fast-charging Rangers.

Apr 15, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukk Rask (40) deflects the puck in the corner during the first period against the New York Islanders at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Goaltending

Tuukka Rask recently returned from a back injury that caused him to miss nearly six weeks and he appears good to go for the stretch run. Coach Bruce Cassidy will not play him in back-to-back games on back-to-back days, but there is really no need to with the way rookie Jeremy Swayman is playing.

Swayman is making his case to be the goalie of the future by winning five of his first seven starts. He has a goals-against-average (GAA) of 1.56 with a save percentage (SV%) of .946 and he has one shutout.

Swayman appears NHL ready. He is aggressive in the net, does a nice job of challenging shots and cutting down opponents’ angels, while not afraid to stare down a shooter on a breakaway in a game or in a shootout.

Rask’s backup the last three years, Jaroslav Halak, recently returned from the league’s COVID-19 protocols list and played in the third period of Friday’s 6-4 loss to the Sabres, where he gave up one goal on five shots in relief of Rask.

As it always is, goaltending will be key down the stretch for the Bruins. Whether it’s Rask, Swayman, or Halak, the Black and Gold will need a strong performance just about every night.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 15: Crag Smith #12 of the Boston Bruins celebrates with Davi Krejci #46 and Charle McAvoy #73 after scoring a goal against the New York Islanders during the first period at TD Garden on April 15, 2021, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Special Teams

The Bruins penalty kill has been at the top of the NHL for most of the season, but two recent power play goals from the Sabres in Friday’s win in three opportunities dropped the Bruins to second.

Jeremy Lauzon has been the best penalty killer on defense this season, while Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, Sean Kuraly, Charlie Coyle, Curtis Lazar, and other forwards have done their job as forwards.

Marchand and Bergeron each have three shorthanded goals, which is a welcomed sight, but not something the Bruins should be counting on each night. In recent games, Boston has had a parade to the penalty box, which is rare as they have become an undisciplined team and take penalties. Regardless, killing penalties is going to be key in the final nine games.

On the other hand, the Bruins power play has struggled and will need to get going if they are going to get into the playoffs.

There is too much talent on both units really, to be struggling as they have. In a lot of their recent chances, the Bruins have struggled with one entry and even having sustained one time.

With the addition of Taylor Hall from the Sabres in an April 11 trade, it gives the Bruins two pretty good units to roll out. At this point, they will take either unit to get hot and produce much-needed goals down the stretch.

Apr 15, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Jake DBrusk (74) tries to gain control of the puck in front of New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (6) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Secondary Scoring

During the Bruins’ recent six-game winning streak, most of their offensive production came from the top two lines.

What also was big was the fact they improved their 5-on-5 goals and production during that time with the struggles of the power play. Still, if the Bruins are going to count on the top two lines each night or production, then they could very well be in trouble.

The third-line of Charlie Coyle-Nick Ritchie-Jake DeBrusk has been underperforming since being put together following the trade for Hall. Ritchie started out the season hot, mainly on the power play, but he does have 12 goals and recently scored two in their two-game set in Buffalo.

Coyle has been disappointing most of the season at $5 million a year with five goals. DeBrusk has been in a major funk all season and has just four goals following two successful seasons. Look, I’m not saying we should be expecting goals on a nightly basis, but a little more production from this line would go a long way.

The Bruins fourth-line has taken off since the addition of Curtis Lazar, part of the Hall trade, to Kuraly and Chris Wagner. They are not scoring much, but they’re bringing energy to each shift and doing what a fourth-line should do.

Mar 25, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bereron (37) and New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (3) skate after the puck during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Health

Just like every other team in the league, the Bruins have been hit with injuries to some key pieces.

Brandon Carlo has been out since early March after sustaining a concussion on a hit from Tom Wilson of the Capitals, while Rask missed a month and a half with a back injury. Add in two games missed for Marchand for a false positive COVID-19 test and DeBrusk and Halak spending lengthy times on the league’s protocols list, the number of missed games is mind-numbing.

Bergeron missed his first game of the season Friday in the Black and Gold’s loss in Buffalo, which means only Nick Ritchie is the only Bruin to have played in all 47 games this season.

The Bruins are not blessed with depth in many areas, so remaining as healthy as possible is going to be key going forward in holding off the Rangers.

It’s hard to believe that the NHL regular season is winding down as fast as it is. The schedule was supposed to end for the Bruins on May 8, but because of their COVID-9 shutdown in mid-March, their regular season has been extended to May 11 to play all 56 games.

Related Story. Bruins: Bottom-six needs shake up. light

Overall, the Bruins have put themselves in a position to finish in at least the top four in the East Division and get a playoff berth. Just like every other season, the final two weeks are going to determine their fate when it comes to extending their season beyond game No. 56. It would be in their best interest to take care of business against the Sabres and Devils to make life a little easier.

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