The Bruins have played 16 games, and are roughly 20% of the way through the season. They currently sit 2nd in the East with 20 points, 7 points behind Montreal for 1st. They are on pace to earn 100 points for the season. Jack and Brick also had a lot of commentary last night about how the lines are starting to fall into place, and how it showed that cohesion between lines was resulting in better hockey being played. Given that the Bruins are exceeding expectations, what do you think is the reason, and how could they be doing better?
Here's my opinions, feel free to tear them apart like you usually do.
As Good as we Expected:
Here's my opinions, feel free to tear them apart like you usually do.
As Good as we Expected:
- Brad Marchand: Signed a monster deal, went to the WHC, dominated, and has not slowed down. Is a PPG player currently (5-11-16 in 16G). Late 90's NHL tonight would describe him as "en fuego". His stickhandling in traffic has taken a huge step up this year, and David Pastrnak is a huge benefactor of that.
- Tuukka Rask: (10-1-0, .945, 3SO). On fire, and a big reason this team is where it is. The big reason is that he doesn't seem to be giving up the occasional Thimas softie. I doubt he can keep this up all season, especially if the B's are getting 0 wins from his backups, but he's playing really well right now.
- David Pastrnak: (10-4-16). Seems to be a breakout year potential. Outside of getting suspended 2 games, he's been fantastic. He also has taken advantage of Ovie's area (just above the weak side dot) to get some good shots on. If he can get open, he has 2 fantastic passers on his line that will give him shots.
- The 2nd LIne: "The Ryan Spooner Wing Experiment" is the name of my Tragically Hip cover band. Its also been good for Ryan Spooner and the line he got moved on. Ryan Spooner struggled mightly at center on the 3rd line, and the move to wing, with its new responsibilities has seemed to suit Spooner well. He's been in much better position, has been open a lot more, and has been making better plays since (1-3-4 in his last 5 games). The switch has allow helped Krecji(2-4-6 last 5) and David Backes (1-2-3 last 5). David Backes has also delivered a great physical presence that was evident in last night's game against the Avs.
- Brandon Carlo: He's playing with Z, but he's leading NHL rookies in ice time and is a +11. The B's needed another defenseman coming into the season, and he could be part of that.
- Road Warriors: (7-3-0 on the road). The B's have played 4 more road games, and they're 4 wins better on the road than at home. The B's swept an @ARI/@COL back to back, but have split their other 2 back-to-backs, going win@home night 1, loss@away 2nd night both times. They also just went 4-1-0 on a 5 games in 7 days streak.
- Zdeno Chara: Carlo seems to be a great counterpart so Z doesn't have to be as dominant has he had to be last year. Z is still playing massive minutes, but Carlo is getting a lot of those minutes as well.
- The 3rd line: Nash, Czarnik, Beleskey have gelled since they were put together, and they have gotten an occasional point, but they are not comparable to Peverley-Kelly-Ryder from 2011. That line was a 2nd line in a 3rd slot and would dominate the other team's 3rd line.
- Frank Vatrano: Earned a spot in the starting 20 last year, but is injured and needs to work his way back. Hopefully he can re-earn a spot when he does come back.
- The 4th line: Constantly in flux, and Jimmy Hayes is earning way more than 4th line money. Tim Schaller seems to be an appropriate 4th line guy.
- Everyone behind Tuukka: (0-5-0). Malcolm Subban is not ready. Anton Khudobin is hurt. Zane McIntyre looked shaky. This group needs to get wins so the B's don't need to ride Tuukka like a horse down the stretch.
- Adam McQuaid: Stuck in mediocre-mode, and seems to get injured, a lot. I worry that he's already hit his skill ceiling because of his injuries (>100 missed games in his career).
- Kevan Miller: Is a dumpster fire, and is under contract for for 3 more seasons at 2.5M per.
- Jimmy Hayes: (0-0-0, -9). He scored a SO winning goal. And that's about it. If he was earning like 1M less and fought a bit more, he'd be an ok Sean Thornton 2.0, but he isn't.