Boston Bruins: Craig Smith has come as advertised

Over the past two months, Craig Smith has been on fire. The Boston Bruins‘ winger has been a points machine and has helped make the B’s second line dominant. With Smith’s first regular season with Boston nearly in the books, the Wisconsin native has come as advertised. The Black and Gold’s secondary scoring needed a spark which Smith has helped provide.

In 49 games this season, Smith has scored 13 goals and recorded 19 assists. His 32 points are the fifth most on the Bruins’ roster. In Smith’s first season in Boston, he has provided the offense the Bruins expected when he was signed in free agency.

Additionally, with points at a premium in the second half, Smith has brought his game to another level. Over the past month, he has been a point-per-game player. In that span, he has seven goals and, at times, has been the Bruins’ best player. He also has not been afraid to be physical, as he has landed 62 hits this season.

On Saturday night, Smith showed what has made him valuable. The Madison native attempted five shots and landed two hits. When Smith was on the ice, he was either scoring or creating opportunities for his teammates. His effort placed him in elite company as he became the first Bruin to record a hat trick other than Marchand, Bergeron, Pastrnak, and Krejci since Jimmy Hayes in 2015.

As the Bruins shift their focus to the playoffs, Smith’s play will be key. The Bruins second line has been deadly with the addition of Hall and should only improve. In their first ten games together, the trio of Hall, Krejci, and Smith have a combined 34 points. Smith has accounted for ten of those points, including five goals.

Additionally, Smith has made an impact on the Bruins’ power play. So far this season, he has six powerplay points. With the Predators last year, he had seven points on the powerplay in 69 games. Regardless of the situation, he has shown why he was the Bruins’ top free-agent signing.

Craig Smith has come through in the clutch for the Boston Bruins.

While Smith has excelled in every aspect, he has shown a talent for coming through in the clutch. The veteran winger has four game-winning goals, which is the second on the B’s roster. Smith trails only Brad Marchand, who has five.

With less than seven games left in the regular season, Smith will be looking to make the same impact in his first postseason with the Bruins. Boston only needs one point to clinch a playoff spot partly due to Smith’s play. Regardless of how the remainder of the season plays out, Smith has been what the Bruins needed.