By: Evan Michael | Follow me on Twitter @00EvanMichael
The Boston Bruins will be marching into March with a myriad of schedule changes — some COVID-19 related, others travel related, others TBD.
But there still remain a couple of key match-ups, matinees and even a bit of mayhem with consecutive games against Washington, Pittsburgh and the tougher-than-they-seem Islanders on the docket. Let’s mark your Bruins calendar with these dynamic dates!
A “Capital” Idea
On Wednesday the 3rd and Friday the 5th, the B’s start the month hosting consecutive home games against the Capitals and if there’s ever a time to get on a March momentum streak, this is it!
Oh, and not spotting the Caps a three goal lead. That would also be a “Capital” idea helpful to the B’s chances of winning these games, if not at least earning a split (which should be their goal).
Either way, it’s been entertaining to the hilt watching these perennial playoff competitors go after each other every game thus far this season so why not expect more of the same. Especially with four points on the line and the teams being separated by less than that for the majority of the shortened year — a storyline to keep an eye on as they both head towards those playoffs.
“March” of the Penguins
When the B’s go on the road for back-to-back games against the Pens in the middle of the month (the 15th and 16th, respectively), it’ll be a true “depth test” for the team. In particular, the black-n-gold blueliners and their dynamic goaltending duo.
While neither the defense core nor the Tuukka Rask / Jaroslav Halak core crease combo have endured too much difficulty thus far in 2021, Boston’s best will need to be at their best in order to best the Pens here.
Thankfully, the B’s have proved quite resilient thus far with Bruce Cassidy’s “next man up” mentality, especially D-Man John Moore whose recent Lake Tahoe accolades (not to mention his fashion sense) may have earned him even more playing time in a tight mini-series like this one!
On an “Island”
Perhaps the toughest test of the month could be the two home games on the 23rd and 25th against the pesky Islanders who have already accounted for two of the B’s three regulation losses on the year. While they were both winnable games, it certainly looked like the Bruins were “on an island” at times in these contests making more mental mistakes than solid plays.
Considering these match-ups are sandwiched between three games against the lowly Sabres, the B’s should be buzzing and trying to make up for those early isle “L’s” in order to boost up the “W’s” against a team that looks to be a Top-Four contender, at leas thus far, in the MassMutual East Division (yup, that’s weird to type let alone say).
Nevertheless, with two remaining contests against New Jersey to round out the month of March — another team that’s given the Bruins fits this season — it would be wise for Boston to not take ANY team for granted in this rivalry-making and rivalry-defining year!
Stay “Tuned”
With April being the B’s busiest month of the 56-game shortened NHL season (they’ll play 16 to 17 times depending on the revamped and ever-changing TBD schedule), keep it right here on the Black N’ Gold Hockey Blog for more Mark Your 2021 Bruins Calendar features and fun predictions!
You’ll stay tuned as the B’s continue to fine tune their game for a Spring-into-Summer second season that may have even more reasons to potentially celebrate than the previous two. After all, who wouldn’t LOVE to put a parade day on the post-COVID calendar in 2021!?
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