By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones
Coming into the Boston Bruins season, Pavel Zacha was one of many players in the organization who wanted to move forward from a down 2024-2025. The forward failed to pot at least 21 goals and put up 57 points for the first time in three years donning The Spoked-B. Zacha corralled 47 points in 82 games.
But through 17 contests so far this season, Zacha has been one of Boston’s most valuable players. He has scored four goals and dished out ten assists. Zacha’s 14 points are good for third on the Bruins, trailing only David Pastrnak’s 19 and Morgan Geekie’s 15.
He has been developing chemistry on the second line with Viktor Arvidsson and Casey Mittelstadt. Be it as the center or left wing on the second line, Zacha has been creating looks and generating chances for himself and his linemates.
But Zacha’s value for Boston is not limited to his offensive prowess. He is the only Boston skater to average at least 3:30 of power play time per game and average at least 1:30 of shorthanded time on ice per contest. In his first year as Bruins Head Coach, Marco Sturm has made it clear he trusts Zacha in any situation.
“The centerman is always the motor and always the brain, on any line, you name it,” Sturm told the media Thursday before the Bruins hosted the Ottawa Senators. “And since (Zacha’s) back on center, I think he took that line to another level. Not just defensively against the top lines, top opponent, but also offensively.”
On Thursday night against Ottawa, Sturm put Zacha on the ice with Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy as overtime was winding down. And with only a few ticks left on the clock, Zacha buried the loose puck, which was sitting behind Linus Ullmark, into the back of the cage. Zacha picked up his seventh career overtime winner and his fourth in a Bruins sweater.
Especially with Elias Lindholm on injured reserve, Zacha takes on an even greater responsibility. He is reliable in his own zone, makes good decisions with the puck, creates looks for himself and linemates, and is valuable on the power play and penalty kill.
Every NHL team needs a player like Zacha on its roster. A skater who can play up and down the lineup, create offensive opportunities for themselves and teammates, play against other teams’ top lines, and be of use on the power play and penalty kill is incredibly valuable.
For the Bruins to be successful this season, Zacha will need to be a key cog offensively and defensively. He is one of the most creative forwards in Boston’s lineup and routinely shows off his phenomenal vision on the ice. Furthermore, Sturm will rely on Zacha to be responsible in his defensive zone, especially against top lines and on the penalty kill.
Zacha appears to have put last season in the rearview mirror and is focused on being a valuable asset to Boston in all three zones. It will be interesting to see how Sturm utilizes the forward’s skill set throughout the year.
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