By: Jason Cooke | Follow me on X @cookejournalism
Boston Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco didn’t mince words when speaking on the team’s lackluster power play (13.0%), which ranks 30th in the league. Whether it’s the combinations, positioning, or overall sense of urgency on what’s supposed to be two minutes of increased scoring opportunities plaguing both units, Boston’s bench boss acknowledges that the shortcomings on the man advantage are costing the Bruins points.
It sure did on Tuesday. In a 2-1 loss to the host Washington Capitals, Boston came up empty on two power play attempts that could have turned the tide in a contest that the Bruins seemingly deserved to win. The Capitals, meanwhile, converted a power play tally that was ultimately the difference. So as Boston preps for a road clash with the New York Rangers on Thursday night, Sacco is looking to make some changes — but not necessarily to personnel.
“We’re trying to make some different looks and some adjustments to it,” Sacco told reporters in New York. “Anytime things aren’t going the way you want them to, you have to make some changes. You can’t stand still, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Sacco isn’t putting his combinations through a blender. Rather, the Bruins experimented with some new positioning at Thursday’s morning skate at Madison Square Garden, tinkering with David Pastrnak at the bumper position as opposed to his trademarked one-timer spot along the left wall. Pastrnak skated with usual counterparts Charlie McAvoy, Elias Lindholm, Pavel Zacha, and Brad Marchand following a recent stretch of games that featured varied looks on the top unit.
“We tried a couple of different looks today, and (we need) to be more direct,” said Pastrnak. “Have to capitalize on the power play — it cost us the game last game. You don’t have to score every time, but you have to recreate the momentum for our team.”
Pastrnak has never patrolled the bumper spot in his career — an important and difficult role that requires patience and a knack for finding space to facilitate the power play. But he has had perhaps the most potent player to ever don the role in the modern era, Patrice Bergeron, at his hip for his whole career.
“I’ve watched him for a very long time,” said Pastrnak. “That definitely helps, and obviously, when I was skating around there as a bumper I was thinking the way he always moved. He was one of the best bumpers I’ve seen, and he’s definitely a guy you can learn from a lot.”
Whether the Bruins utilize Pastrnak on the bumper Thursday night is something to keep an eye on. But regardless of where Sacco deploys Boston’s most dangerous scoring threat, Pastrnak is hoping that the first unit builds some added confidence in the near future.
“I think it’s the confidence for sure,” he said. “You’re there for a reason on the power play, and you got to make plays. We have a great kill and there’s going to be killers who are going to kill some plays, but you have to make sure that you’re still there to make plays and don’t force stuff and don’t rush the shot because we have to shoot more — yes we do, but at the same time, you can’t rush it. Once you shoot it, you definitely have to recover the puck.”
The Bruins also made a tweak to their second power play grouping, subbing in Oliver Wahlstrom with Mason Lohrei, Morgan Geekie, Charlie Coyle, and Justin Brazeau. Wahlstrom, someone who exhibits touches of offensive flare to his game, will slot in on the fourth line against the Rangers.
“He’s a shooter, and he can add some offense to that line, which is what we’re hoping. And then on the power play as well with the second group,” said Sacco.
The second unit has seemingly outperformed Boston’s top unit at times throughout this season, headlined by Brazeau’s presence on the net front. But after seeing some time with the top unit, he’s back anchoring the second group to see if Boston’s top dogs can right a sinking ship on the first power play to propel them back into games like Tuesday’s. Because if they don’t, the postseason usually isn’t friendly to teams with inconsistent and untimely special teams.
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