Boston Bruins: 4 Keys to the Final Nine Games

Apr 1, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (63) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Kathryn Riley-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (63) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Kathryn Riley-USA TODAY Sports
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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
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.