By: Andrew Bluestein | Follow Me On Twitter / X @adbblue
The Boston Bruins lost four straight games before the holiday break and struggled to produce offense, scoring a combined seven goals. They have turned things around after the break and have now won four in a row after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 Tuesday night.
During the four-game winning streak, they have combined for a total of 18 goals. The offensive outbreak has been kick-started by the effectiveness of both their low-to-high and high-to-low games in the attacking zone.
Their high-to-low game has been strong as they have done a great job moving the puck from down behind the net and the low-end boards to up top at both point positions. Winning puck battles and solid board play from their forwards have been the driving factor in generating quality scoring chances. The defense has also been throwing the puck towards goal, with it finding the back of the net. The puck movement has been impeccable and perhaps the biggest factor in creating high-danger chances.
Furthermore, the Bruins have accumulated a lot of offensive zone time. Their offensive cycle game is as strong as it has been all season in the last four games. The puck movement from down low to up top has been drawing opponents up high, allowing for passing lanes to open up. In particular, Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm have been a huge part of this from the back end.
Kevin Shattenkirk also contributed by scoring three goals during the winning streak. Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Charlie Coyle, and Pavel Zacha also play a huge role in that as forwards, among others. Marchand, in particular, has a huge impact in both, as he has great agility and is very shifty with the puck. It allows him to get to space and make passes from open areas in the offensive end. The Black and Gold have a lot of players contributing lately, which has been huge.
The high-to-low game has also been cooking lately, and a steady balance between that and the high has helped with the offense firing on all cylinders. Working the puck down low and taking it to the front of the net will always yield scoring opportunities. We’ve seen James van Riemsdyk and Jake DeBrusk do a lot of that as of late, and it’s paid off for both. DeBrusk now has a four-game point streak with six total, and van Riemsdyk has four points during the winning streak, including a three-point night on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
It’s super important to have continuity and diversity in the way you produce offense as a hockey team. The Bruins have certainly made that a priority, and it’s gotten results. It’s been fun to watch them establish their attacking game and see everyone contribute in different ways. When they put emphasis on both the low-to-high and high-to-low game and execute using them, they are as hard as any team in the league to beat.
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