By: Michael Rudd | Follow me on Twitter @Bosmike808.
The Boston Bruins are in the middle of a historic season. With the team looking to rewrite the record books, it’s time to check back on the individual players. Before the start of the season, I wrote an article about individual player milestones within reach this season. With the season just past the halfway point, what better time to check and update which milestones have been reached? So let’s jump in and see which players are making a little history of their own.
Accomplished Milestones
Starting off the list of accomplished milestones is Linus Ullmark, with his 24th win of the season, reached 100 for his career. Ullmark is the favorite to win the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie in the NHL this season. Next on the list is Matt Grzelcyk, who surpassed the 100-point plateau in his young career. Grzelcyk’s 17 points so far this season have him at 115 for his young career. Another defenseman who reached a point milestone is Charlie McAvoy. McAvoy reached the 200-point mark for his career and now sits at 207 points with 30 points in just 34 games. His early season injury likely keeps him out of the Norris Trophy race, but McAvoy is still having an impressive season. The final milestone on the back end belongs to Hampus Lindholm. Lindholm played in his 600th game this season and has looked well worth his eight-year contract extension.
On to the very long list of forwards who have hit career milestones. First up is Pavel Zacha, who surpassed the 400-game mark and scored his 200th point. Zacha is having a career season scoring at a 54-point pace. His depth scoring has been something the Bruins have needed for years. Next up is Craig Smith. Smith has not had a season he would like to remember, but he surpassed 800 games played and 400 points scored. Then, on to a player having a bounce-back season, Nick Foligno scored his 300th assist and his 500th point this season. Another player having a career season was Jake Debrusk before being sidelined by injuries. Debrusk scored his 100th goal and his 200th point.
On to a few more significant milestones starting with Taylor Hall. Hall played in his 800th NHL game this season. Not to be outdone, Brad Marchand surpassed 900 games played after making his speedy recovery from offseason double hip surgery. The games played one-upmanship doesn’t stop there. After returning to the NHL, David Krejci played his 1000th game. Finally, closing out the accomplished milestones is Captain Patrice Bergeron. Bergeron scored both his 600th assist and his 1000th career point. A truly historic season so far, not only for the team but for all those players as well.
Upcoming Milestones
Even with all those accomplished milestones, even more, could be reached this season. First up is David Pastrnak, who is just 24 goals shy of 300 and 31 points shy of 600. Next is Brad Marchand looking to help out on some of those goals sitting just 26 assists short of 500 for his career. Taylor Hall needs just 12 more points to hit 700. David Krejci will need to keep up his pace from the first half, needing another 31 points to reach 800. Once Jake Debrusk returns from his injuries, he will only need two more assists to hit his 100th. If Craig Smith can fill some of the void left by Debrusk being out, he should have no problem scoring the seven goals he needs to hit 200 for his career. The only defender on this list is Hampus Lindholm. Lindholm is having a career season and needs five more assists to hit 200. The only player currently just off the pace they need is Charlie Coyle. Coyle needs 30 more points to reach 400 but is on pace to fall ten points shy of reaching that milestone.
There you have all the milestones that have been accomplished and those still waiting to be reached. This season has been one for the record books, so keep checking back here not to miss out on a single history-making moment. With the Bruins back in action Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, some of these milestones could be even closer to being reached. So stay safe out there, and until next time let’s go, Bruins.
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