Boston Bruins: Is This the Start of a Breakout?

Prior to the trade deadline on April 12, the Boston Bruins struggled in the secondary scoring department. Since the addition of Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar from the Buffalo Sabres on April 11, the second line of David Krejci, Hall, and Craig Smith had supported the top line very well.

With the top two lines producing, if the Bruins could ever get their third and/or fourth lines producing, then they will be a tough team come playoff time.

One of those players who the Bruins would like to see get hot is Jake DeBrusk. After signing a two-year bridge deal in November to return to Boston, this season has been a disappointment for the fourth-year forward.

Entering Thursday night’s game with the New York Rangers, DeBrusk had gone scoreless in 13 consecutive games, dating back to April 10, the day before the Hall trade, against the Philadelphia Flyers. Since then, he was also a healthy scratch for two games.

Thursday night was one of DeBrusk’s better games of the season for the full 60 minutes. He was strong on the puck, strong on the forecheck, as well as loose puck battles. In the end, he was rewarded for his efforts with a second-period goal that ultimately put away the Blueshirts.

Krejci sent a perfect pass off the wall to DeBrusk at the Rangers blueline. The 14th pick in the first round of the 2015 Entry Draft broke in alone on NYR goalie Igor Shesterkin and was able to beat him up high for a 3-0 Bruins’ lead on their way to a 4-0 shutout. DeBrusk finished with three shots on the net in the game.

DeBrusk has five goals and seven assists heading into Saturday afternoon’s rematch with the Rangers.

The Bruins have been getting secondary scoring from their second line, but if DeBrusk could ever find the touch this late in the season and carry it over to the playoffs, then the Boston Bruins will be one tough out for whoever they draw in the first round.