Boston Bruins: Bottom-six thriving after lineup changes

Just five days ago I wrote a piece stating that the Boston Bruins‘ bottom-six needed a shake up. Well, since then the bottom-six has been shaken up and it has proved extremely beneficial for the B’s.

The fourth line of Sean Kuraly, Curtis Lazar, and Chris Wagner was broken up. This line was effective for the first couple of games after Lazar was acquired, however, it quickly lost fire as Kuraly and Wagner lost the energy they initially had.

Additionally, the lackluster third line of Nick Ritchie, Charlie Coyle, and Jake DeBrusk was also separated. This line never really found its stride and played poorly more than it played well.

DeBrusk was scratched due to his constant lack of a second effort and Kuraly was moved up to the third line while Coyle was moved over to right wing. With DeBrusk leaving a spot open in the lineup, Trent Frederic found himself back in the lineup after being scratched the previous 11 games.

The bottom two lines were originally Ritchie – Kuraly – Coyle and Frederic – Lazar – Wagner, but head coach Bruce Cassidy ultimately switched Frederic and Ritchie as Frederic was playing with much more energy and tenacity than Ritchie.

These two lines stayed like this for two games, but ended up having to be changed on Saturday due to Wagner suffering an undisclosed injury. With Wagner out, Karson Kuhlman went slotted in at Wagner’s spot and Frederic was taken out of the lineup and replaced with DeBrusk.

The Boston Bruins’ bottom-six should remain how it was on Saturday.

While the B’s bottom-six looked much better than it did before these changes with Frederic and Wagner in the lineup, I think the group from Saturday looked even better.

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Both Nick Ritchie and Sean Kuraly scored on Saturday, while Charlie Coyle continued to build on his strong play since being moved over to wing. Although Coyle didn’t score on Saturday, he now has a goal and an assist over the last two games and has looked much more confident and determined on the ice.

If this third line continues to play well, they shouldn’t be separated as all three players are physical, puck-controlling monsters that can wear down the opposition and occasionally score.

While I like what Frederic brings to the team and I think he should be in the lineup every day, there just isn’t a place in the lineup with DeBrusk, Lazar, and Kuhlman playing well, and they played very well on Saturday.

They may have been the only line to not score a goal, but they produced chances and deserve to see at least one more game together. DeBrusk did his normal thing and played well after being a healthy scratch. He didn’t score but hit the iron once, coming very close to scoring. Kuhlman continued where he left off, bringing energy and tenacity to the lineup.

Like the third line, this fourth line should stay together while they continue to prove effective.

This bottom-six is the best group the B’s have seen in quite some time. All these players are physical, can skate, and can score every once in a while. This group not only existed, they proved effective and produced chances, something this team hasn’t had the luxury of this entire season.