By: Zach Beauchaine | Follow me on Twitter @OtisTheMango
The time has come again for the Boston Bruins to hit the road. The Bruins will embark on a Western Conference road trip that will span until just before the 2022-2023 NHL trade deadline. Boston will face one of the season’s more potentially challenging mental tests on this upcoming trip.
The Bruins enter the upcoming road trip riding a four-game win streak. Two home wins and two road wins. A thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars. A 5-0 showing against the Nashville Predators, both of which are on the road. A 6-2 smacking over the New York Islanders and a big 3-1 well-earned team win over the Ottawa Senators both at TD Garden.
In the game against the Islanders, the Bruins had a key player return from injury. The Bruins top line winger Jake DeBrusk returned to the Boston line-up, and his impact was felt immediately. DeBrusk opened the scoring against the Islanders with a snipe on the powerplay to beat Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov and establish early dominance over New York. DeBrusk had missed the last 17 games for the Bruins due to injuries suffered against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL Winter Classic on January 2nd at Fenway Park.
In Monday’s contest against the Ottawa Senators, Jake DeBrusk opened the scoring once again. Then David Pastrnak scored goals number 40 and 41 on the season. The Bruins offense is red hot as they venture out for the road trip. The four-game win streak and the return of DeBrusk should serve as a significant boost for the Bruins. Boston is in the driver’s seat now.
A good trip out West will be crucial as the Bruins approach the final quarter of the NHL regular season, carrying on their winning ways. The Bruins sit with 91 points in the NHL standings. They can spread the gap further as other Eastern Conference powerhouses make their moves in the standings. Boston will aim to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Lord Stanley’s playoffs are sitting right over the horizon.
The trip will begin Thursday, February 23rd, as the Bruins take on the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. From Seattle, the Bruins will cross the border and head to Canada. The Bruins will play Saturday, February 25th, against a struggling Vancouver Canucks team at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. The trip will conclude with back-to-back games on Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th. The first of the two back-to-back games will be played against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Tuesday’s game will be against the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
The Boston Bruins have many positives to take along with them on this road trip despite the stretch of hockey in front of them. The last few months of the NHL regular season will be demanding. A looming trade deadline, formidable opponents, and plenty of travel. The Bruins know that now is the time to put their foot down on the gas. The team will be looking to continually build on their historic record as they have throughout the season.
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