After going on a three-game losing skid for the first time all season, the Boston Bruins were finally able to snap the skid when they faced off with the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night, defeating them by a score of 3-0 thanks to a 26-save shutout from goaltender Jeremy Swayman.
The shutout was a Swayman’s second of the season, and already his eighth win on the season in 12 starts in net. The University of Maine product has excelled in net this year, and has proven to be a solid presence for the Bruins.
The win over the Sharks was a larger win than maybe most realize, however.
Why is Thursday such a big win if the Sharks are likely “tankin for Macklin”?
The big reason Boston’s win over San Jose was so huge is that its last three games that they lost, were not only to teams that they should have beaten because they were ahead of in the standings, but they were also playing down to their competition with the exception of the loss to the New York Rangers.
Not only were the Bruins playing down to the level of their competition, but they were also outscored on that stretch by a total of 17-8.
Another reason it’s important, is that it now puts the Bruins in a tie with the Rangers for second place in the National Hockey League and tied for first in the Eastern Conference with 33 points thus far this season. Both squads trail the Vegas Golden Knights by just one point.
So it’s not only a good win just for them to get back on track, but it’s also one to show that they can still win the easy games against teams that maybe aren’t on the best track this year.
In addition, for Boston to come back from a losing streak and shutout San Jose says a lot about the team’s resiliency and that it does not back down from a challenge, and understands what it takes to win a game that is essential from both a morale standpoint, and just to get back to its winning ways.
What’s next for the Bruins?
The Bruins are back in action on Saturday night when they fly north of the border to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Scotiabank Centre, puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.