2. The 2016-17 NHL season is going to
end in a few days, so it is perfect time
to analyze the performance of the
Boston Bruins. There were high
hopes for the team after barely
missing the playoffs the last two
years.
3. While the Bruins would certainly
like to have a few more wins, their
spot in the playoffs looks to be secure
with only 11 games left to play.
4. Boston’s probable return to the
playoffs can be attributed to the solid
play of a few key players. The
emergence of David Pastrnak has
been huge for the Boston Bruins
after losing Loui Eriksson to free
agency in the off-season.
5. Pastrnak is still not legally able to
drink alcohol in the United States,
but he has already turned into one of
the best young players in the NHL.
His ability to play great offense and
defense has helped stabilize a team
that struggled with consistency the
last two seasons.
6. While the Boston Bruins have found
a new star player in David Pastrnak,
Brad Marchand is the main reason
the team is contending for the
playoffs this year. Marchand was a
solid player on the second line for
most of his career, but he has quickly
become one of the most important
players in the league.
7. Marchand currently has 37 goals and
79 points in 71 games this season,
which are both good enough to lead
the entire NHL. The Bruins have
always been a team that struggled to
score a lot of goals due to their style
of play, but that is no longer the case
thanks to Brad Marchand.
8. It is always good to have a few great
scorers on the team, but it is
impossible to win in the NHL without
solid play from the goalie. While
Tuuka Rask will never regain his
spot as the top goalie in the NHL, he
has stepped up his play from last
year.
9. Rask’s inability to make saves in big
moments cost the Bruins the playoffs
last year, but that is not happening
this season. Rask’s skills are clearly
declining, but he has found a way to
give a solid performance almost
every night.
10. The Boston Bruins certainly do not
have the depth of the Washington
Capitals or Pittsburgh Penguins, but
they are still finding a way to win a
lot of games. A return to the playoffs
and the emergence of two new star
players is enough to get any fan
excited for the future of Bruins
hockey.