By: Gayle Troiani | Follow me on Twitter @LadyBruinsFan
What a ride it has been so far! The black and gold were dead in the water, according to most other fanbases and even media types across the NHL world. Most claimed the Bruins needed to find a way to tread water and keep pace, not falling too far behind to be competitive once Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy returned in late November or early December. I guess the joke is on them because the Bruins are not only in first place in the Atlantic Division but also in the top spot in the league. To the surprise of many, Marchand will play tonight when the Bruins face the Detroit Red Wings in an Original Six match-up at the TD Garden.
Many Bruins fans are shocked at how well the team is playing and with the individual performances of players they were ready to write off, like Linus Ullmark, Connor Clifton, and especially Nick Foligno. In 64 games last season, Foligno scored just two goals, and in six games this season, the veteran forward has already surpassed that number with three. Who could have imagined that Foligno would come into this season performing like the Foligno of old?
I asked on Twitter what was something fans didn’t expect and something they did. The responses were pretty much on par with the fanbase. Most expected Pastrnak to be well Pastrnak and Bergeron to be Bergeron, but the response to Foligno has been as unexpected as his performance on the ice.
Definitely Fliggy’s performance, which I’m sure everyone and their mother is saying. Something I DID expect was for Swayman to be on his game, but he’s been kind of out of it. Hoping for him to get back into things and imprive, though!
@Bostonbruinsy
But it’s not just the play of Foligno that has fans taking notice; it’s how Ullmark has solidified himself as the number-one goaltender after starting the season 5-0-0. Some believe Ullmark needs to split the goaltending duties with Jeremy Swayman. But, in the words of coach Jim Montgomery, it’s hard to go away from the hot goaltender, especially when Ullmark is not only playing phenomenal but has also stolen a couple of games for the black and gold like the 2-1 shootout victory over Anaheim or the 5-3 win against the Panthers.
Then there’s the play of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, who most outside of the Boston fandom call “old men.” So far, Bergeron has four goals and three assists for seven points, and Krejci has two goals with six assists. Not too shabby for two old men, huh? What’s more impressive about the two of them is they are logging nineteen to twenty minutes a night of ice time.
The fans have also seen the rise of a new cult hero from none other than former Boston University Terrier AJ Greer. In just six games, Greer has potted three goals and two helpers. But, coupled with his fierce physicality on the ice, what cemented Greer as a fan fave was his celebration after scoring a goal on Garden ice – kissing the Spoked-B on his jersey.
Of all of these, Clifton is who has been surprising me the most. I was ready to move on from “Cliffy Hockey.” Colleague Jim Swindells and I had Clifton’s bags packed and ready to drop him off at the bus station. But, man, am I eating crow? Clifton is playing great hockey and not being his usual defensive liability, which I’ve come to hate. Instead, he’s playing confidently, and Montgomery said Clifton’s timing on hits is incredible.
With the strong start and the return of Marchand, the Bruins are bound to have more success throughout the season. If they keep playing the way they have, it will be hard to believe this team will not have a long run in the postseason. Have your expectations changed? I know mine certainly have.
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