For the first time in their history, the Boston Bruins swept the California road trip. They have now won seven in a row and have taken at least a point in their last 12
contests, propelling them to sole possession of second place in the Atlantic Division.
Their most recent victory came over the Vegas Golden Knights. On the road, the black-and-gold outlasted the Knights in a shootout for a 3-2 victory. As everyone expected, David Backes scored the game-winner in the shootout.
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Jake DeBrusk continued his hot streak scoring a goal in his fifth consecutive game, while Jaroslav Halak held down the fort in net. In regulation and overtime, Halak made 31 saves on 33 shots. In the shootout, Halak was a brick wall making five saves on six shots and giving the Bruins chance after chance to end the game until Backes finally did so.
The win over the Knights came after a blown lead and subsequent comeback victory over the San Jose Sharks. The Bruins have had a knack for blowing leads all season long. Against the Sharks, they went up 3-0 in the first period and the game seemed over. However, the Bruins would end up going to overtime before a trailing Charlie McAvoy potted the overtime winner on a feed from David Krejci.
Offense has come alive
Many expected the Bruins’ offense to decrease in production after the injury to David Pastrnak. Pastrnak has scored seven more goals than the next highest goal scorer on the team. However, in the five games since Pastrnak’s injury, the Bruins have scored six goals twice. They scored six goals two times from December 8 through February 12.
The offense for the Bruins has been a concern all season long. They are tied for 14th in the league with 2.98 goals per game. But, it seems as if the team may have found its scoring touch. General manager Don Sweeney recently added Charlie Coyle from the Minnesota Wild in hopes of increasing the offensive production on the third line. In exchange, the Bruins traded young prospect Ryan Donato and a fifth rounder. With the trade deadline approaching on February 25, Sweeney might have one more trick up his sleeve.
Looking ahead
On Saturday afternoon, the Bruins will take on one of the hottest teams in the NHL in the St. Louis Blues. Although the Blues’ 11-game win streak just came to an end, they now sit at third place in the Central Division.
The Bruins sit 18 points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the Atlantic Division. Having been the best team in the NHL all season long, the Lightning has first place all but clinched. That being said, the Bruins and Lightning meet three more times this season. My point? Crazier things have happened.
