By: Tom Calautti | Follow me on Twitter @TCalauttis and Linktree
Before the end of 2023, Bruins fans were worried about Jake DeBrusk. The former first-round pick had only four goals and 11 points in his team’s first 31 games, an alarming trend for a notoriously streaky player. It may have taken until the holiday season, but it looks like Jake DeBrusk is finally heating up.
In the last five games he’s played, DeBrusk has registered three goals, four assists, and seven points for the Bruins. Over that stretch, the team has a 4-1 record and is outscoring their opponents 23-13. One of the biggest reasons for DeBrusk’s resurgence was getting away from the game.
After Boston’s December 30th win over the New Jersey Devils, he opened up about how the Christmas break helped him get back into the right mindset. “I think it was just nice to have a reset, honestly,” said Debrusk following his two-point performance. “Kind of take some time away from the game and enjoy some Christmas spirits and then kind of come back with a new fresh face.”
The other primary reason DeBrusk’s play has improved is that, for the first time all season, he’s had consistent linemates. The Edmonton native has spent the past five games skating with Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle, with the trio combining for 21 points over that span.
“I feel like I’ve been on a lot of different lines this year, so it’s nice to kind of find some consistent production with those guys,” said DeBrusk on his connection with Marchand and Coyle. “They’re obviously playing really well this year, you know. Charlie is off to a great start, and so is (Marchand) as always, so I just try to compliment that line and use my speed to get to the forecheck and, you know, just try to do whatever I can help it.”
Whatever the case, the Boston Bruins are the best versions of themselves when Jake DeBrusk is producing. His recent uptick in points has provided the team with the kind of secondary scoring Boston needs to ease the pressure on David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand.
The big question now is whether or not DeBrusk can keep putting up points at a more consistent pace. If he does, the Bruins have a more legitimate chance to make some noise down the stretch. And if he registers another 20-goal, 40+ point season, Don Sweeney & co. may be inclined to sign him to a long-term extension this offseason, solidifying his future in Boston.
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