Tag Archives: Jake DeBrusk

Jack Studnicka on the Rise

This offseason one name that General Manager Don Sweeney has mentioned often is Jack Studnicka. The Bruins drafted Studnicka in the second round of the 2017 NHL draft. He has come to camp determined to win a job despite his limited professional experience. Studnicka is not the only Bruin prospects pushing for an NHL job leaving little room for error. He is a gifted playmaker with leadership skills that are rare for a 19-year-old. Regardless of whether he starts the season in Boston or Providence, he will be a player to watch.

Studnicka’s Expectations

Nonetheless making the Bruins roster will not be easy but his offensive ceiling is high. Last season Studnicka was one of the stars of the Bruins development camp. Due to a crowded forward mix, he returned to the Ontario Hockey League after only one preseason game. He was the Oshawa Generals leading scorer with 22 goals and 50 assists. He added muscle which allowed him to win more battles and improved his game. In five games for Providence, he was equally impressive recording one goal and four assists.

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What Makes Studnicka so talented is his playing style. He is an excellent skater with an explosive first step. His speed and deception allow him to break away from coverage to put himself in the best position to score. He excels on both ends of the ice due to his competitiveness. Unlike many young players, he is not afraid of being a leader but embraces that role. He wants to be in charge and is not afraid of standing up for his teammates. The former second round pick is not a vocal leader but leads by example. These traits have caught the eye of Sweeney and the rest of Bruins management.

Where Will Studnicka End Up

Unfortunately like last season the Bruins have a crowded forward group. They do not have enough spots for all these prospects and are looking for some to distinguish themselves. Studnicka has done that after falling short last season. He has shown that he will work harder than anyone on the ice and that he is a natural leader. A lot is still determined but Studnicka has positioned himself well. Regardless of what happens, he has a bright future. Even if he begins the season in Providence it would not be surprising if he found himself in Boston at some point this coming season.

Can Ryan Donato Live Up To The Hype

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Last year, Ryan Donato got his first taste of NHL action. He was impressive, which has only raised the expectations for the rookie this coming season. He is seen as a key part of the Bruins’ future. For a young player with his expectations, fans will have to be patient. Regardless of his talent, Donato will still experience growing pains next season. How he is able to respond to the NHL grind will reveal the player he will become. He has the talent and it could be a special season for the Harvard Product.

Brief Debut

Last season, Donato appeared in 12 regular season games. In those 12 games he had five goals and four assists. He was impressive on the power play, recording four points on the man advantage. He showed his terrific vision and good scoring touch. In the playoffs he did not make much of an impact and only appeared in four games. He did not look overmatched by the rise in expectations and seemed ready for the NHL grind. This season will be a true test to see how far he has come. It will only get harder for the Harvard product before it gets easier.

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Expectations For Donato This Season

Donato is projected to have a similar season as Jake DeBrusk’s rookie campaign. If he ends up on the second line with DeBrusk and Krejci, then a 20 goal season is very plausible. He will have many opportunities even if he does not end up on the second line, especially on the man advantage. The Bruins had a very good power play last season and adding Donato to the mix will only improve it. Unlike DeBrusk, Donato already has some NHL experience. That will only play to his advantage as he experiences the full grind of an NHL season. A disappointing playoff run has only left him more motivated for this season.

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Can Ryan Donato Fulfill The Hype

In 12 games Donato showed that he was no fluke. He showed that he could succeed in the NHL. Like last year, the Bruins youth will be key and Donato will be the most hyped Bruins prospect this season. He has the skills and will become a key piece on this team for years to come. His growth will be a storyline to watch this season and Bruins fans should be excited to see just how good this kid becomes.

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Can The Bruins Repeat The Scoring Output of Last Season?

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Last season, the Bruins surpassed all expectations by finishing with 112 points. They were led by their youth, which will again be a huge factor next season. Netting 112 points is no easy task and this team will have to come together again to repeat that success.

The 2018-2019 season will see the debut off more highly regarded Bruins prospects. They will have a solid group of veterans to learn from, including Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, and Torey Krug. The Bruins will be battling with Tampa Bay, an improved Toronto team, and the Florida Panthers who could push for a wild card spot. Repeating last year’s success is not impossible, considering the strength of the Bruins core and how players such as Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen flourished last season.

Bruins Veterans

One reason for the Bruins success last season was their 2011 Stanley Cup core. They showed that they still have at least one more run left in them. Patrice Bergeron continued to be one of the best centers in the league. Zdeno Chara was still the Bruins best defenseman due to the fact the Bruins limited his minutes. The 2017-2018 team also saw the continued improvement of Torey Krug. He had a career high 59 points and improved tremendously on defensive. These veterans were complemented by rookies who have become fan favorites after one season. The Bruins new core was formed in shadows of the last championship core.

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Key Pieces Take the Next Step

Last season, DeBrusk and Charlie McAvoy showed why scouts held them in such high regard as prospects. Despite missing 19 regular season games, McAvoy established himself as the most important player on the Bruins’ defense. DeBrusk showed a flare for the dramatic and made the Bruins second line dangerous. Next year, they will only be better, which is bad news for the rest of the league. Heinen also played in his first full NHL season and showed that he could contribute on the second or third line. After years of anticipation, these players lived up to the hype with only more to come.

Photo Credit: Jimmy Golen, The Associated Press

Advantage Of Youth

Next season, Bruins prospects such as Jakob Forsbacka Karlsoon, Zach Senyshn, and Jakub Zaburil will be looking to make a similar impact. Last year, the Bruins rookies gave the team a jolt of energy that had been missing in recent years. They played with a edge and had a knack for making comebacks when it seemed unlikely. The Bruins will carry that mentality into this upcoming season. There will be growing pains along the way with these young players. But as DeBrusk and McAvoy showed, those growing pains often lead to better results. That is what made the Bruins so good last year.

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Why The Bruins Can Get 112 Points Again

Repeating last year’s numbers is a lot of pressure to place on any team. This offseason, the Bruins have not made any significant upgrades. Their biggest move was inking defenseman John Moore to a five-year deal. They still have the best line in hockey in Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak. The Bruins young core will only get better with experience. Tampa Bay and Toronto improved in the offseason and will battle the Bruins all season.

The Bruins are returning the majority of last years roster, which knew a thing or two about proving people wrong. Their postseason run came to an abrupt end last season and they will be looking for revenge. Next year, they will again be looking to surpass whatever expectations are placed on them.

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Bruins Youth Movement Key To The Future

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Last season, the Boston Bruins were lead by their youth movement. Next season will be no different as the Bruins system is stacked for years to come. Last season saw the debuts of Ryan Donato, Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, and Matt Gryzelcyk. All four players showed that they could play at the NHL level, which is partly why the Bruins have not been active on the trade front this offseason.

Returning to the playoffs next year will be no easy task. The Maple Leafs have improved, Tampa Bay is still very good, and the Florida Panthers could be a sleeper playoff team. The Bruins still have the one of the best young cores in the NHL, ready to lead them again next season.

Stanley Cup Core

The Bruins Stanley Cup core from 2011 still remains. They are not in their primes but have meshed perfectly with the Bruins young players. The Bruins top line of Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and Patrice Bergeron is one of the best lines in hockey. Bergeron battled injuries last season, but he is still one of the best centers in the league. Zdeno Chara is not the player he once was but he is the perfect mentor for young players, such as Brandon Carlo and Charlie McAvoy. David Krejci battled injuries last year, but played well with Jake DeBrusk when healthy. What made the Bruins so good last season was how the veterans and young players came together.

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Bruins Youth Movement

The 2018-2019 season could see the debuts of more Bruins top prospects. That list includes Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Jakub Zboril, and Zach Senyshyn. All three players are on the Bruins roster and will be looking to make their case in camp. The Bruins will have Trent Frederic, Ryan Fitzgerald, Jack Studnicka, and Jeremy Lauzon in Providence. They still need more experience, but could be contributors at the NHL level in the near future.

The Bruins are not only set for years to come due to their depth in Providence. They have David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand under club control for the next five years on team friendly deals as well. They re-signed center Sean Kuraly this offseason to a three year deal worth $1.2 million per year. It will be hard for the Bruins to re-sign everyone especially starting next offseason. Both McAvoy and Brandon Carlo will be free agents. The McAvoy deal will be more expensive than Carlo, as no one else on the Bruins roster affects the game like McAvoy does. Danton Heinen and Ryan Donato who will also be restricted free agents at the end of next season.

Photo Credit: Amalie Benjamin NHL.com

Salary Cap

Donato and Heinen will not be as expensive to resign as McAvoy. Donato will most likely receive a “prove it” deal, similar to that of Matt Grzelcyk, as he will only have one full season of NHL experience. Jake DeBrusk won’t be a free agent until the 2020-2021 offseason, but he is already key to this team.

The Bruins will have to be creative to keep their young core together. Although it will not be easy, the Bruins have the advantage. Not every prospect will pan out and some could be used as trade chips. Don Sweeney has the one problem every GM only dreams of.

Making The Case: Jake DeBrusk To Lead Bruins In Points This Season

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Jake DeBrusk showed that he was a star in the making during his rookie season. As the season progressed, his game evolved and his impact was felt almost every night. He proved to mesh well with David Krejci and was not afraid of sacrificing his body. In the playoffs, the former first round pick brought his game to the next level. Next season, the expectations will be higher for the second line winger. DeBrusk has the talent to be an elite scorer and will lead the Bruins in points next season. You heard it here first.

Offensive ability

In his first season, DeBrusk had 16 goals and 23 assists. He finished sixth in points on the team – only one point behind Krejci and four behind fellow rookie Danton Heinen. However, DeBrusk played in seven games fewer than Heinen due to injuries and there’s no debating that he has more offensive upside.

There are multiple reasons why the former first-round pick can lead this team in scoring. Last season, he played in nine games in which he amassed more than one point. On the powerplay, DeBrusk was as efficient as they come, netting two goals and collecting nine points. He also possesses a tremendous shot and displayed the ability to create his own scoring chances.

But it’s the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet that really set DeBrusk apart. The film doesn’t lie; he is always looking for the puck and when he doesn’t have it, he is viciously fighting for it. It’s all heart with this kid, a rare and unteachable trait in many rookies.

Boston Bruins Jake DeBrusk . (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Excellence in The Playoffs

The former first-round pick truly broke out in the playoffs. In the first round, he torched the opposition with five goals and seven total points. DeBrusk continued to impress on the powerplay, as four of his seven points came on the man advantage. In Game Seven against Toronto, DeBrusk showed just how far he had come. The left winger scored two goals, including the game-winning wrister in which he took advantage of an out-of-position Toronto defenseman and beat Frederik Andersen through the five-hole.

In six of those seven games, he recorded at least one point. He was one of the main reasons the Bruins advanced to the second round.

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The Future is Only Brighter

In the second round, the Bruins were eliminated by Tampa Bay in disappointing fashion. Their playoff exit will serve as motivation for next season, and DeBrusk will be ready to roll. He went from being a rookie to arguably one of the Bruins most important pieces in less than a full season.

Next year, he will surprise everybody and lead the team in points. With a year of experience under his belt, the sophomore campaign will be an exciting sequel. This past season, Brad Marchand had the most points on the team. In the 2018-2019 season, look for the second line winger to rise up among the ranks.

“A Rookie Season to Remember” By Jake DeBrusk

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In his rookie season Jake DeBrusk showed the skills that made him a first round pick. DeBrusk had a very good regular season but broke out in the playoffs. For the Bruins he was tied for the most playoff goals with six along with Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. Going into next season the expectations will be higher for the former fourteenth overall pick. In the postseason he showed he could elevate his game at the highest level. His sophomore campaign has the chance to be even better.

The Impact Of Jake DeBrusk

Coming into the 2017-2018 season the Bruins expected a lot from DeBrusk. In the 2015 NHL draft he was one of the Bruins three first round picks. Of those three he is the first one to make it to the NHL. The Bruins put him on the second line to begin the season alongside David Krejci and David Pastrnak. The Bruins eventually elevated Pastrnak to the first line alongside Bergeron and Brad Marchand. DeBrusk proved to be a perfect for the second line and David Krejci. He is a playmaker with grit something the Bruins second line had been lacking. This showed in his statistics.

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DeBrusk’s Rookie season By The Numbers

DeBrusk appeared in seventy games for the Black and Gold. He scored sixteen goals along with twenty seven assists. DeBrusk proved to be a weapon on the powerplay as he had nine points on the second power play unit. The former first round pick is not afraid to attack especially when the Bruins are down which is rare for a rookie. In the playoffs he took his game to a new level.

A Playoff Run To Remeber

Throughout the playoffs Debrusk did not seemed fazed by the playoff stage. As fellow rookies Danton Heinen and Charlie McAvoy struggled at times DeBrusk did not. In game seven against the Toronto Maple Leafs he scored two goals including the game winner. DeBrusk’s game winner was impressive considering that he was leveled as soon as he released the puck. In the playoffs great players rise to the occasion which is what DeBrusk did. The playoffs showed how far the rookie had come and the impactful player he will be.

Photo Credit: Tara Sullivan, Boston Globe

What To Expect Next Year

Going into the 2018-2019 season Debrusk will be key for the Bruins. If DeBrusk can continue to improve then the Bruins will have a dominant top two lines. In DeBrusk’s rookie season he showed that he can be a very special player. Reaching the twenty goal plateau next season should not be a hard challenge as his chemistry with Krejci improves. His encore could be one to remember as he has the skills to become something truly special.

Keys for the Bruins Ahead of Game 2 in Tampa

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The Bruins hope to take Game 2 tonight in the same fashion they took Game 1: by dominating one of the best teams in hockey in all three zones. Heading into this series the Bruins were considered the underdog, with many expecting the Lightning to handle them. But the B’s took it right to the number one seed in the conference, playing their best game of the playoffs. Now let’s take a look at what it’s going to take for the Bruins to take a commanding 2-0 heading back to Boston.

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The Perfection Line Must Be Perfect

En route to a 6-2 beat down of the Bolts, “the perfection line” was, well, perfect. The Marchand/Bergeron/Pastranak line reminded the Bolts why they are the best line in hockey. The Lightning’s top line of J.T. Miller, Steven Stamkos, and Nikita Kucherov gives the team an edge against just about any other line in hockey. Except for the fact that on the other end Bergeron is heading a historically good line. In Game 1, the trio combined for 11 points, torching the Bolts in all facets of the game. Marchand scored and added three assists, Bergeron potted two goals and added a helper, while Pastranak dished out four assists continuing his phenomenal start to the postseason.

This was the best way for the Bruins to play defense against J.T. Miller, Steven Stamkos, and Nikita Kucherov. The Bolts’ top line was a minus -4 with only seven shots on goal. The Bolts are going to come out with a lot of passion in Game 2, and the Bruins have to be mindful of the elite talent of Stamkos and Kucherov. Let’s see if the Lightning can find an answer to a problem no other team has been able to.

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Tuukka Rask Must Continue to Play with Passion

It’s amazing how much can change from game to game in hockey. In Game 7, when the Bruins were down 4-3, people were calling for Tuukka Rask to never start another game for the B’s. Now less than a week later, Rask just played one of his more impressive games of the season. That’s how fine the line is when you have a goalie like Rask. He needs to be engaged into every single play fighting for every single puck. When Rask is emotionally engaged he never misses an angle and makes it look effortless.

Maybe the most promising thing from Rask was after he lost his skate blade. Rask was noticeably furious throwing his broken blade against the boards. This is exactly what we need to see from Rask: some fire and fight to his game. Do not be fooled by Game 1; Tampa can flat out score and Tuukka needs to play like an elite goaltender for the B’s to win the series.

In Game 2, the Lightning are going to come out firing on all cylinders in the first period. The Bruins are going to have to weather the storm in Tampa. Rask is going to have to be ready to be able to make some big time saves tonight. The question is which Rask is going show up: Game 7 Tuukka or Game 1 Tuukka?

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The Bruins Must Feed Rick Nash

Throughout his career Rick Nash has been snake bit in the playoffs. Nash only put up two points in round one against Toronto. In Game 1, Nash matched his point production from the first round, scoring two goals, and was one of the best players on the ice. Nash is one of the keys to this series. Everyone knows how good the top line is, but the Bruins need their second line to be dominant. On Saturday, everyone saw why it is so important that this line produces. Now that Nash has some confidence going and has put a couple past a Vezina candidate, the B’s must continue to feed the awoken giant. Nash can tip the balance in this series. All eyes will be on him in Game 2.

In the third period Jake Debrusk showed why this Bruins team has made it this far. He took a high hit, got right back up blocked a shot. Then, he out hustled everyone on the ice to make a diving clear of the puck. Seeing Debrusk hobble back to the bench showed what this kid and this team is made of. Later in the period Debrusk was rewarded with his sixth goal of the postseason. That is what it’s going to take to win the Stanley Cup.

Jake DeBrusk- Playing Where It Counts

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Bad timing always seems to befall teams, especially during the most important part of the season. For the Bruins, it’s something that they’ve become somewhat experts on. With their roster being filled with many first-year guys, you knew that this team would be going through some growing pains. As the team would experience one injury after another, it seemed Boston couldn’t catch a break.

ENTER DEBRUSK

The Bruins not only had those nagging injuries to deal with. On top of this, they were trying to find their style and voice on the ice. Early on there was a concern about whether or not this team would ever bounce back. But as they say, you gotta keep the faith, because things have a way of turning around. One trip out west would change the course for the Black and Gold. Something special was happening. The Bruins (now healthy) started to win, play gritty and are on pace to being in the playoffs. The biggest thing about this team that has been discussed so many times is the surge of the young players. One, in particular, is starting to make not only important plays but scoring the winning goals- Jake DeBrusk.

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

A GOOD START

A second-generation NHL player, DeBrusk quickly made noise early on after he was signed to an entry-level contract back in 2015. He was assigned to Providence after two seasons in the WHL and posted 49 points with 19 goals and 30 assists. In the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs, Debrusk scored six goals and finished with nine points. Some impressive numbers led to DeBrusk earning a spot in the Bruins training camp. As one of the young stars many were talking about prior to this season, DeBrusk would score his first NHL goal against the Nashville Predators. He would be one of many rookies that would score their first goals- a precursor of what was to come out of this Bruins team.

FINDING HIS PLACE

By mid-season, the Bruins have found themselves on an upswing and after a trip out west. Consequently, the team started to develop one of the most important things it needed: chemistry. After a few mediocre seasons that was still playing under an old Julien system of dump and chase, the youth movement was just beginning to bubble. A new coach in Bruce Cassidy, a bunch of young hot studs mixed in some wise veterans and you have the perfect concoction of what it takes to be competitive. Ever tweaking his lines, Cassidy placed DeBrusk alongside David Krejci and Ryan Spooner (prior to the trade). The young 19 year old found himself playing in the regular lineup averaging around 15 minutes on the ice every night.

BY THE NUMBERS

A quick look at Debrusk’s stats shows that the young winger isn’t afraid to get involved and help his teammates. There have been instances where DeBrusk had a tough game and was subsequently benched for a few shifts. Since his debut on October 5, 2017, DeBrusk has averaged seven or more assists each month. He currently ranks fifth behind Torey Krug with 39 points. And as the Krejci line is proving to be a powerhouse with the addition of forward Rick Nash, Jake DeBrusk is there, setting up some nifty plays.

TOUGH LOVE

It can be hard being a young player among the big boys in the league. Sometimes when you hit a rough patch, it’s time for a quick reset. For someone like Jake DeBrusk, he’s learning to take some needed criticism. Recently, Coach Bruce Cassidy wasn’t too happy with how his young winger was playing and sat him the next few shifts.

Some players don’t respond well to taking some time out. Others like DeBrusk take it and become better. And he did. DeBrusk came out off the bench to tie a recent game against Montreal. He also drove to the net and was there when Brad Marchand scored the OT winning goal. Five shots total that game, and the Bruins swept the Montreal Canadiens. As he put it:

“You don’t want to miss shifts with anyone… But at the same time, I understood why and I was eager to get back out there and try to help the team win.”

At the midseason mark where the Bruins started to turn things around, it was DeBrusk again that put some much-needed effort. After being a healthy scratch in a game against Toronto, (again some tough love from Cassidy) the winger would respond with two goals and four assists in his next five games. Sometimes all you need is a little reminding that you need to get the puck more.

MOVING FORWARD

In the NHL business, you got to play your best players and for someone young like Jake DeBrusk, you have to earn your stripes to be in the lineup. There’s no doubt that this kid can play, and it’s hard to remember that he’s only 19 years old. In a recent back to back game against the Chicago Blackhawks, DeBrusk connected with his linemates, David Krejci and Rick Nash. He certainly made his mark, being there when Krejci needed him. In a 7-4 win over Chicago, the Czech forward scored two goals, and forward Brian Gionta scored as well. DeBrusk got the assist on those power-play goals:

“…We’re just trying to read off each other and at the same time try to know where we’re going to go..obviously tonight it clicked and hopefully we can build on that.”

FINAL THOUGHTS

With fifteen games left in the regular season, every play, assist and point is crucial. The Bruins have come a long way, exceeding every expectation. With key players out on injury, Boston closed out a perfect home stand series posting a 6-0 record. When most teams start to fray at the seams, the Bruins continue to push through. Every line pulls their weight. For Jake DeBrusk, whose racking up points in his last eight games, he continues to be there for his linemates.

“The whole year I’ve been trying to build… so just trying to keep it going and understand how valuable it is to be out there and who I’m playing with”

Follow Liz Rizzo on Twitter @pastagrl88

Injury Bug Could Define Bruins’ Season

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Injury Bug Hits Bruins

So far this season the Bruins have delivered more than many expected. They were not supposed to be one of the best teams in the NHL. The youth has arrived and exceeded all expectations. The Stretch that will truly define them is now. The injury bug has hit the Bruins, as they will be without Charlie McAvoy and Patrice Bergeron for the next few weeks. Tuukka Rask should be back soon, but he’s missed the last two games. So far, without their two top players the Bruins have done well, and even though it hasn’t always pretty they have found a way to win. The Bruins won their first game without McAvoy last night and are 4-0 without Bergeron. Both players are key to the Bruins as they impact the game in so many ways.

Photo Credit: Michael Dwyer/ AP Photo

Deadline Deals Become More Important

At the trade deadline the Bruins were one of the busiest teams. Other than the Rick Nash deal the Bruins made minor moves to improve their depth. They did not know that depth would be tested so quickly. So far, these additions have been very productive. Nick Holden was having a down year in New York, but he’s recorded a point in each of his first two games in Boston. Tommy Wingels was not seen as a significant addition by Boston but had a big goal in his Bruins debut. The play of these two and Nash down the stretch will be essential. As the Bruins learned last year when they lost Krug and Carlo before the playoffs, depth is key.

Photo Credit: Rudi Schuller

The Young Kids

The Bruins have a lot of veterans on this team. They have arguably one of the best lines in hockey with Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak. What makes this team so special is how the young players such as DeBrusk and Heinen have exceeded expectations. They have been solid offensively, and as the season has gone on they’ve only improved. They will not have to do it alone, as Marchand is on a tear of his own. Marchand has scored the overtime winners in both of Boston’s last two games. The young guys will have to step up, but the Bruins still have some very talented veterans.

Photo Credit: Adam Belue

What Will Be Key

With McAvoy out the Bruins will be missing their best defenseman. Bergeron is very good defensively, as he is the best two-way player in the game. Without these two defense will be key, and that was evident last night as they gave up five goals to Detroit. What defines a championship team is the struggles they go through as a season goes on. If the Bruins can continue to win without Bergeron and McAvoy, this team should be taken even more seriously. This is the point of the season that every athlete relishes with the playoffs on the line. The injury bug hits every team over the course of a season and people are about to see how much heart this team really has.

What’s Different About the Bruins?

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The Bruins have finished the last three seasons with nearly identical numbers, finishing with 96, 93, and 95 points. We were treated to a brief playoff appearance last season, but they certainly weren’t ready to make the jump into the upper tier of the league. Luckily for B’s fans, this year is different. Currently sitting comfortably with the second spot in the Atlantic and on pace for 113 points, this poses one question: what’s making a difference?

Goaltending

For starters, the Bruins have two goalies who have put up solid numbers. Rask got off to a slow start, posting an October save percentage of just .896. This lead to some early season controversy regarding the starting position, seeing as Khudobin came out of the gate hot. But around early December, Rask’s play transformed into what we’re used to seeing out of him. With Khudobin also continuing his stellar season, the Bruins have consequently climbed the standings going 15-2-4 since December 1st. As of today, Rask has started thirty games to Khudobin’s seventeen, emphasizing the faith that the coaching staff has behind both of them. And seeing as both goalies currently boast a season save percentage north of 92% and a GAA below 2.4, it comes as no surprise to see both of them getting their minutes.

The Young Guys

In addition to the dynamic duo between the pipes, the Bruins have also enjoyed plenty of production from players who can’t even drink yet. Rookie standout Charlie McAvoy is leading the way, even drawing some Calder Trophy attention. It’s unlikely that he’ll bring home the honor being a defenseman, but his 25 points through forty-five games to go with his +18 rating is exactly what the Bruins needed. Playing mostly on the top pair, McAvoy has also been given the credit of rejuvenating the play of Zdeno Chara. The two have worked well together all season, and Chara is proving that he still has something left in the tank. Rookies Danton Heinen (10-21-31), Jake DeBrusk (10-14-24), and Matt Grzelyck (1-5-6, +13) have also risen to the occasion this season. Each are proving that they are both hungry and capable of establishing themselves as NHL players.

Goalscoring

The B’s have also managed to combine their trademark “hard-nosed” style of play with a sufficient amount of skill. Between the years of 2010-2016, they failed to have a single seventy-point player. The team simply lacked that “big name scorer” that every team needs for both the fans and the results. But we can now see that Brad Marchand is ready to wear that label.

His increase in production really began in the inaugural World Cup of Hockey. Even while putting up eight points in just six games during Canada’s gold medal run, Marchand is best remembered for his tournament winning goal with just 43.1 seconds remaining to beat Team Europe. From there he took off and established himself as one of the premier forwards in the NHL. He went on to finish the season with 85 points, good for sixth in the league in scoring. This surpassed his previous season high by 24 points and is the most by any Bruin since Marc Savard in 2009 (88). Carrying his play into this season Marchand has been helped out by line mates David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron. With 44 points through 45 games for Pastrnak and 39 in 40 for Bergeron, all three players on the Bruins top line are on pace for career high point totals.

Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak (88) celebrates with teammates Patrice Bergeron (37), Brad Marchand (63) and Torey Krug after scoring against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 in Montreal. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

The Man Behind the Curtain

And lastly- Bruce Cassidy. The Bruins were lucky to have Claude Julien but after ten years it was time for a new voice. Luckily for the B’s, that voice was already in the organization. Having coached in Providence since 2008, Cassidy was already familiar with several players and the Bruins systems. One of these players is Torey Krug, who recalls that “everything was quick, on the go. He doesn’t like to spend time explaining drills or being at the board at practice. It’s go, go, go”. Krug went on to mention that this becomes a habit and translates into games. With nearly half the season remaining, it will be interesting to see if Cassidy and the Bruins can keep up this unexpected pace. But with the way things are looking right now, there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic.

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