Photo Credit: Mary Schwalm (AP Photo)
By: KG Follow me on Twitter: @kgbngblog and on FanCred at K G
The Bruins are on their five-day break this week, so no B’s game until they play their bitter rivals, Montreal, on Saturday the 13th for the first time in the regular season this year. But while the Boston players are getting some well deserved Rest and Relaxation, everyone else is left to watch old highlights and count down the hours until the next game. While you wait, here’s a list of some of the biggest news topics so far this year for the Bruins, with links to other Black N’ Gold articles on the subjects to give you even further insight.
Pre-Season: Part One, Part Two, Studs & Duds, Studs & Duds Vol. 2
After coming off of a decent pre-season, the Bruins looked like they could make a run at returning to the playoffs for the second year in a row. And hopefully this time with a healthier roster than last spring. The Atlantic division isn’t playing as tough in the standings as previous years (Five of eight teams take up the bottom five spots in the Eastern Conference), but with the Metropolitan taking both Wildcard spots currently, the Bruins will have to make sure they stay in the top three of their division.
After the emergence of the rookies in the first game (A win over defending Western champs Nashville) fans were ready to go all in on this team. Unfortunately, the next few games weren’t great for Boston, going 1-3 after that win at home against the Predators.
Boston Waives Subban, Vegas Claims Subban, Boston’s First Round Pick Troubles
At the time, Subban had looked like the backup of the future, for some optimistic fans. But when looking at Subban rationally, he did take a longer time to develop than the Bruins wanted. His success in Vegas can easily be credited to a change of scenery or knowledge that the team had confidence in him by picking him up.
Injuries
Injuries were a major concern for the team early in the year, with Backes missing extended time due to diverticulitis and the needed surgery on his colon because of it, Bergeron hurting something in the lower body area and Noel Acciari being out for potentially six weeks. Both Cehlarik and McQuaid went on the IR later in the season
Tuukka Rask is the number one goalie for the majority of NHL teams when compared to their top guy, but some fans/media members brought up the idea that Rask had lost his touch. Thier argument was that while Rask was losing the majority of games, Khudobin was winning, and they felt like the hot hand should be played. It was a rash decision to almost abandon a stellar goalie, but eventually, Rask turned it around and started to play like the star he is. Here is some of the proof of what he has been able to do since the barrage of hot takes.
Depth Comes Through For Boston
Because of the ridiculous amount of injuries to the main roster so far this year, players have been called up from the minors to fill their spots, and have done very well while doing so.
Award Contention
Last spring, Charlie McAvoy stepped up to the NHL for his first game. In Game One of the series against Ottawa. Not many rookies could do that and play the way that he did. Now, in his first real season with the team, he plays top pairing minutes alongside veteran captain Chara. He has made his way into the heated Calder discussion, along with forwards like Brock Boeser, Mathew Barzal, and Clayton Keller. He has shown his value and seems to be a player the Bruins can build around in the years to come. Another potential award winner is Patrice Bergeron, who’s always in the Selke conversation. He has shown in the games getting closer to the break just how good his line is, offensively and defensively.
Bruins’ ECHL Affiliate Could Be Moving To Maine
Pretty self-explanatory, but important news about the affiliate team of the Bruins.
Don Sweeney’s Vision Starts To Show Results
After some questionable trades/contracts, many Bruins fans were worried about what Sweeney was doing with the team. But after only three seasons, it looks like the roster is finally becoming what Sweeney had tried to make it.
After a pretty slow start, Rask has made his way back into the category of feared goalies. He has shown that he knows what he needs to do to win, and visible tries hard every single night he is in the crease. He is one of the reasons that Boston has risen in the standings to the spot they are at now.
It has been a rollercoaster ride so far this season, and the Bruins are still a game away from playing half of their 82 games. Hopefully, the second half is even better than the first. Huge thanks to all of our dedicated writers on the site. Make sure to check in regularly for game reactions, think pieces and prospect updates that show Bruins prospects from the ECHL all the way to the CHL and overseas.
Other Articles
Goalie Gear, Boston’s Jersey History, Ways To Support The Site
Leave a Reply