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Bleed Black and Gold - Boston Bruins Franchise (NHL 21)

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Old 02-16-2021, 04:42 PM   #9
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Re: Bleed Black and Gold - Boston Bruins Franchise (NHL 21)

B's win streak snapped at 10, but team continues to dominate the rest of the league (December 14th - December 27th)


The Habs and Bruins have played two terrific hockey games so far this year, and a playoff matchup between these two teams would be outstanding.

Results
WIN 6-0 @ Pittsburgh Penguins
WIN 3-2 (SO) vs Buffalo Sabres
WIN 5-3 @ Montreal Canadiens
LOSE 5-2 vs Anaheim Ducks
WIN 4-1 vs Nashville Predators
WIN 4-3 @ Carolina Hurricanes
WIN 3-2 vs New Jersey Devils
Record: 6-1-0 (Overall - 29-5-4, 62 points), 1st in Atlantic

Game of the Week: 5-3 win vs Montreal Canadiens
Boston Bruins at Montreal Canadiens
Dec 17, 2020123F
BOS (25-4-4)1135
MON (22-7-4)1023
Three Stars
D. Pastrnak
3 G, 1 A
T. Tatar
1 G
J. Anderson
1 G
Team Stats Comparison
BOSMON
Shots on Goal3926
Hits2317
Faceoffs Won-Lost1818
Penalty Minutes2:0016:00
Power Plays Converted31
Power Play Opportunities81
Time on Attack7:194:52
Scoring Summary
FIRST PERIOD
MON7:14 T. Tatar (9) (J. Kotkaniemi, J. Armia)
BOS11:42 D. Pastrnak (22) (PP) (Unassisted)
SECOND PERIOD
BOS10:55 D. Pastrnak (23) (PP) (D. Krejci, N. Ritchie)
THIRD PERIOD
MON4:44 M. Frolik (6) (PP) (Unassisted)
MON8:06 J. Anderson (4) (Unassisted)
BOS11:16 D. Pastrnak (24) (B. Carlo, M. Grzelcyk)
BOS16:20 B. Marchand (22) (PP) (N. Ritchie, D. Pastrnak)
BOS19:42 P. Bergeron (27) (EN) (C. McAvoy, J. Lauzon)


We need a Bruins-Habs playoff matchup. After a great game a few weeks ago in Montreal, which the Bruins pulled out 4-3, they met again at the Bell Center and again it was great hockey.

In their first matchup, it was the Bruins who struggled to stay out of the penalty box. This time it was the Canadiens - and it pretty much cost them the game. The Habs took EIGHT minor penalties and the Bruins' power play capitalized for three goals, two of which came in 5-on-3 situations.

David Pastrnak is difficult to handle at even strength - he's impossible to handle down two men. Pasta scored two power play goals in the win, fired 11 shots on goal, and notched the hat trick in the third period to tie the game at three. He also added an assist on Brad Marchand's go-ahead goal with just over three minutes remaining - which, once again, came on the power play.


The Pittsburgh Penguins are a disaster, and it may be time to completely tear it down.

Other Notes...
- The Pittsburgh Penguins are a tire fire. They offered little to no resistance against the Bruins on home ice, generating just 20 shots in a 6-0 Boston victory. David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron both scored twice as Tuukka Rask cruised to his second shutout of the season.

- For 40 minutes, it looked like it was going to be the Buffalo Sabres who would end the Bruins' impressive win streak. Unfortunately for Buffalo, the Perfection Line had other ideas. Trailing 2-0 in the third, Patrice Bergeron got the Bruins to within one with his 26th goal of the year. Moments later, Brad Marchand tied the game. The teams traded chances in overtime but it would take a shootout to decide this one - and it was the Bruins' captain, again, who delivered the winning goal.

- TRANSACTION: Par Lindholm has elected to return to Sweden to play out his career. Lindholm played a decent amount for the Bruins last year, but hadn't appeared in a game yet this season. He will be replaced by Greg McKegg from Providence. McKegg was averaging 14:31 minutes per game and had scored seven goals in the AHL. He'll serve as the team's 14th forward for the foreseeable future.

- All good things come to an end, and such was the case with the Bruins' 10-game win streak against the Ducks. Granted, the Bruins had been trailing in the third period of their previous two games, so it did seem like the tide was turning. Jaroslav Halak struggled, allowing four goals, while John Gibson turned away the Bruins' top line throughout the game. After the game, the team announced that Charlie Coyle had suffered a sprained ankle and will likely be sidelined for 10 days. Trent Frederic will take his place as the third line center.

- The B's got back on track the following night against Nashville. Nick Ritchie scored twice while Rask turned away 25 shots to help secure the victory. Unfortunately, the B's were again hit by the injury bug, as they revealed after the game that Jakub Zboril sprained his MCL and will be out for at least a month. Conor Clifton will get his first action of the year in Zboril's absence.

- David Pastrnak's ridiculous season continued against the Hurricanes, as he recorded his second hat trick in the last four games. Carolina had no answer for the Bruins' top line, which combined to score all four goals and totalled eight points in the 4-3 victory.

- Following a small break for Christmas, the B's looked a little slow in their first game back against the Devils. Jaroslav Halak kept the team in the game, particularly after Jeremy Lauzon received a five-minute major for boarding, turning aside 38 of 40 shots to help Boston squeak out a 3-2 victory.

Who's Hot
David Pastrnak - What a ridiculous stretch of games for Pasta. He recorded two hat tricks and tallied 12 points, giving him 27 goals and 58 points in just 38 games so far this season.

Nick Ritchie - Ritchie received a lot of heat from Bruins' fans during the bubble last season, but Bruce Cassidy seems to have found the perfect role for him - power play specialist. Ritchie, playing on the fourth line in even-strength situations, is averaging just 13:03 time on ice per game - the second lowest among all Bruins' forwards. Despite this, he's fourth on the team in points with 28. Why? He's the net front presence on the B's top power play unit. 16 of Ritchie's points have come with the man advantage, which ties him with Patrice Bergeron for the team lead.

Tuukka Rask - Rask has certainly hit his stride. Tuukka went 4-0 during this stretch, improving his record on the year to 19-3-1. He has an outstanding 2.17 goals against average and .919 save percentage, and is getting more and more expensive by the day as he plays out the final year of his contract.

Who's Not
Penalty Kill - The B's penalty kill was a disaster against the Hurricanes, allowing three power play goals. Cassidy made several changes before the next game, including moving up Charlie McAvoy to the top unit and adding Craig Smith to the second unit, and it seemed to work - the B's killed all five power play opportunities against the Devils.

Injuries - It was only a matter of time. The B's had been incredibly lucky so far this season, with just Chris Wagner missing a few games to injury. They lost both Charlie Coyle and Jakub Zboril this week, however. Luckily, neither injury appears to be serious.

Providence Report (13-19-2, 77 GF, 84 GA)
- Providence continues to play mediocre hockey, again because they are struggling to consistently find the back of the net. While Lauko has returned to the lineup, his concussion certainly disrupted his progress. One bright spot? Dan Vladar has been terrific.
- Jakub Lauko 11 goals, 9 assists, 20 points
- Jack Studnicka 4 goals, 13 assists, 17 points
- Karson Kuhlman 9 goals, 11 assists, 20 points
- Urho Vaakanainen 2 goals, 13 assists, 15 points
- Dan Vladar 13-19-2, 2.38, .911%


It had to feel good as a Bruins' fan watching David Pastrnak blow by Dougie Hamilton to score his third goal of the game, and notch his second hat trick of the week.
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Old 02-20-2021, 03:35 PM   #10
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Re: Bleed Black and Gold - Boston Bruins Franchise (NHL 21)

Goal scoring dries up as Bruins bring in the new year with a whimper (December 28th - January 10th)


David Pastrnak scores the overtime winner against the Sabres in their first matchup.

Results
WIN 3-2 (OT) @ Buffalo Sabres
WIN 5-4 (OT) @ Chicago Blackhawks
LOSE 6-2 vs Calgary Flames
LOSE 2-1 (OT) vs Buffalo Sabres
LOSE 2-1 (SO) vs Minnesota Wild
LOSE 4-1 vs Washington Capitals
Record: 2-2-2 (Overall - 31-7-6, 68 points), 1st in Atlantic

Game of the Week: 2-1 (OT) loss vs Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres at Boston Bruins
Jan 5, 2021123OTF
BUF (21-13-7)10012
BOS (31-6-4)00101
Three Stars
C. Hutton
29 Saves
T. Rask
30 Saves
E. Staal
2 A
Team Stats Comparison
BUFBOS
Shots on Goal3230
Hits1819
Faceoffs Won-Lost1516
Penalty Minutes11:0011:00
Power Plays Converted00
Power Play Opportunities33
Time on Attack5:466:09
Scoring Summary
FIRST PERIOD
BUF14:31 V. Olofsson (9) (T. Thompson, E. Staal)
THIRD PERIOD
BOS19:28 B. Marchand (28) (D. Pastrnak, P. Bergeron)
OVERTIME
BUF3:15 B. Montour (1) (T. Hall, E. Staal)


After the Bruins squeaked out a 3-2 win in overtime against the Sabres in Buffalo the day before New Year's Eve, the teams met again in Boston less than a week later with Buffalo coming out on top in the TD Garden.

Led by the outstanding goaltending of Carter Hutton, the Sabres were just 32 seconds away from becoming the first team to shutout the Bruins this season. Alas, it was not to be, as the Perfection Line delivered once again. With the goalie pulled, Bergeron reversed the puck down low to David Pastrnak who hit a streaking Brad Marchand in front of the net for a beautiful one-timer, which Marchy ripped top shelf.

The Sabres would get the last laugh, however, as both teams traded chances in overtime but it was Brandon Montour who delivered the killing blow, ripping the puck past Tuukka Rask for his first of the season - and the game-winner.


Brad Marchand ties the game against the Sabres with just 32 seconds remaining, but it was Buffalo who got the last laugh in overtime.

Other Notes...
- It was a good start to the week, and end to the calendar year, for the Bruins, as they took down the Sabres 3-2 and the Blackhawks 5-4, both in overtime. Against Buffalo, it was David Pastrnak who went end to end in the extra frame, using his speed and the open ice to get in alone and score the winner. Against the Blackhawks, it was Sean Kuraly picking up his third goal of the year while killing a penalty.

- In two games against the Flames this season, the Bruins have allowed 11 goals. Naturally, they have lost both games. This was arguably their worst performance of the season. Brandon Carlo and Matt Grzelcyk looked lost, as both finished a poor -4, while Tuukka Rask was pulled after allowing 6 goals on just 21 shots. One bright spot? The return of Charlie Coyle, who missed five games with a sprained ankle.

- After a hard-fought loss to the Sabres, the team once again struggled to find the back of the net against the Wild - and again came up short in the extra frame, this time in the shootout. Charlie Coyle scored in just his second game back from injury, but the team couldn't generate anything on the power play (0-4) and suffered their third straight loss.

- When it rains it pours, as they say, and a brutal stretch of hockey for Boston continued against Washington The B's took a 1-0 lead into the third period, but surrendered four straight goals to the Caps - three of which came on the power play - and failed to score on any of their man-advantage opportunities. The B's have lost four games in a row for the first time this season - and have scored just five goals in those four games.

Who's Hot
Patrice Bergeron - Even when the B's struggle to score, the Perfection Line almost always delivers. We'll focus on the captain this week, as Bergeron reached the 30-goal plateau - a remarkable feat considering it's still January. Bergeron already has 67 points on the season, leads the league with a +45 rating, and has a 61.4% face-off win percentage - and may be the frontrunner for the Hart Trophy, as of right now.

Jeremy Lauzon - Lauzon has been outstanding so far this year. His solid presence defensively has freed up Charlie McAvoy, but he's also holding his own on the scoresheet with 18 points so far. Lauzon leads the team with 95 hits, and is averaging 23:25 time on ice per game - second to McAvoy for the team lead.

Who's Not
Charlie McAvoy - McAvoy was terrific against the Flames when the rest of the team failed to show up in a 6-2 loss. He was not terrific against the Capitals. McAvoy took three minor penalties in the third period - and the Capitals scored on all three. That's a tough look, no way around it.

Second Line - For the first time this season, the Bruins struggled to find the back of the net. And when this team struggles to score, everyone looks at the second line. The trio of David Krejci, Anders Bjork, and Jake DeBrusk has failed to find the back of the net in the past five games. Krejci does have 27 points this year, but 1/3 of them have come on the power play. Anders Bjork, after a hot start, has just 15 points. Look for Bruce Cassidy to make a few switches to help get the team out of this slump.

Providence Report (16-19-3, 84 GF, 89 GA)
- Great stretch for the mini-Bs, as they go 3-0-1 and allow just five goals during this four-game stretch. Jakub Lauko has found his game again after missing some time due to injury, and Dan Vladar continues to be exceptional between the pipes.
- Jakub Lauko 13 goals, 10 assists, 23 points
- Jack Studnicka 5 goals, 15 assists, 20 points
- Karson Kuhlman 9 goals, 11 assists, 20 points
- Dan Vladar 15-19-3, 2.29, .913%


Patrice Bergeron is making the case for the Hart Trophy this year, as he leads the B's with 30 goals and 37 assists in just 44 games so far this season.
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Old 02-21-2021, 05:09 PM   #11
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Re: Bleed Black and Gold - Boston Bruins Franchise (NHL 21)

Bruins Spotlight: Potential Free Agents


Nick Ritchie's strong season may earn him some additional cash this off-season - but it may also mean a ticket out of Boston.

Last season, the Bruins let both Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug walk in free agency. They will have some more tough decisions to make this upcoming offseason, with long-time Bruins like David Krejci and Tuukka Rask available to test the market. Boston will also have to deal with several RFAs, including Brandon Carlo and Nick Ritchie.

Although it's early, we thought we'd take a look at the upcoming free agents, both restricted and unrestricted, and some predictions about what we think the B's will do moving forward.

Restricted Free Agents
Ondrej Kase (4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points) - 25 years old/$2.60 million
- To say Kase has been a disappointment during his time in Boston is an understatement - even if it was part of the David Backes' salary dump trade. Still, he's just 25 years old - but he's also been put in the press box for the second time this year. The B's may be interested in bringing him back but it's hard to justify continuing to pay him over two million when he can barely crack the lineup.
Prediction - Traded in the offseason for a draft pick.

Brandon Carlo (0 goals, 10 assists, 10 points, 19:28 time on ice/game, -10) - 24 years old/$2.85 million
- It has been a bit of an up and down season for Carlo, who has struggled to find chemistry with Matt Grzelcyk. Still, Carlo is a pillar of this team and the B's would like him to be part of the second pairing for many years to come. He doesn't put up a ton of points, which should help keep his dollar amount down.
Prediction - Re-signed, ideally to a long-term extension - possibly mid-season

Nick Ritchie (10 goals, 18 assists, 28 points) - 25 years old/$1.50 million
- Playing on the top power play unit has been terrific for Nick Ritchie, who may set a career high in goals this year. It's also been beneficial for his finances, with some people suggesting that Ritchie may be in line for an extension in the four million dollar range. If that's the case - it won't be with Boston.
Prediction - Signed for short-term if under four; otherwise traded or potential hold-out.

Trent Frederic (1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point, 14 games) - 22 years old/$0.925 million
- Frederic has been solid in his limited time, mainly on the fourth line, and hasn't been afraid to throw his body around. He recently earned a look on the third line, replacing Ondrej Kase. The team would like to see more offensive production from Frederic moving forward.
Prediction - Re-signed on a bridge deal.

Unrestricted Free Agents
David Krejci (9 goals, 18 assists, 27 points) - 34 years old/$7.25 million
- David Krejci has nearly played 1000 regular season games in his NHL career. Every single one has been with the Bruins. Although he doesn't produce as much as he once did, he's still a reliable player. Term is going to be important here. The B's would love to bring him back, but not at that price tag, and not for an extended period.
Prediction - Re-signed for a two year deal under five million.

Tuukka Rask (20-5-2, 2.37 GAA, .911 SV%) - 33 years old/$7.00 million
- Another really interesting decision coming up with Rask. You need goaltending to win in this league, and Rask is one of the best. He's also faced a ton of criticism, some of it unearned but some of it certainly earned. He's stated that he only wants to play in Boston - the price point will likely be the key here. It is Rask's last chance to cash in before he retires, and Boston may not be willing to write a cheque that big.
Prediction - Re-signed for a three year deal near his current price.

Kevan Miller (1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points, 14:55 time on ice/game, +7) - 33 years old/$1.25 million
- It's been an outstanding season for Miller after a major knee injury nearly ended his career. He's been reliable, consistent and healthy - and it's hard to ask for much more than that from a bottom pair defenseman. Miller may be able to notch a moderate sized contract, and he'll likely test free agency - but don't rule out a return to Boston.
Prediction - Signs as a free agent with a team offering him over three million per year.

Sean Kuraly (4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points) - 27 years old/$1.30 million
- Kuraly is a fan favourite in Boston and seems to have a knack for scoring big goals. He also kills penalties and can move up to the third line if needed. This will come down to price - the Bruins want to get Trent Frederic into the lineup more consistently, and both Jack Studnicka and Jakub Lauko may be ready to play next season. There's only so many spots - and Kuraly may be the odd man out.
Prediction - Signs as a free agent with a team offering around two million per year.

Jaroslav Halak (11-2-4, 2.56 GAA, .907 SV%) - 35 years old/$2.25 million
- The decision on Halak likely depends on what happens with Rask. If Rask walks, Halak basically becomes a must sign, as Dan Vladar isn't ready to be a full time starter yet. If Rask resigns, however, the B's likely move on from Halak as it seems likely that Vladar will be on the roster next year.
Prediction - Signs as a free agent with a team offering around three million per year.
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Old 02-24-2021, 08:01 AM   #12
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Re: Bleed Black and Gold - Boston Bruins Franchise (NHL 21)

Lineup changes spark offense as B's snap losing streak (January 11th - January 24th)


Trent Frederic, back in the lineup, scores his second goal of the game against the Maple Leafs, which would stand as the game-winner.

Results
WIN 5-3 @ Toronto Maple Leafs
WIN 6-3 vs Montreal Canadiens
WIN 3-1 @ Philadelphia Flyers
WIN 5-4 vs St. Louis Blues
WIN 5-4 (SO) vs New York Rangers
Record: 5-0-0 (Overall - 36-7-6, 78 points), 1st in Atlantic

Game of the Week: 5-3 win at Toronto
Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs
Jan 12, 2021123F
BOS (31-7-6)1045
TOR (29-9-5)1113
Three Stars
C. Smith
1 G, 2 A
T. Frederic
2 G
M. Marner
2 A
Team Stats Comparison
BOSTOR
Shots on Goal3232
Hits3317
Faceoffs Won-Lost1615
Penalty Minutes13:005:00
Power Plays Converted00
Power Play Opportunities04
Time on Attack6:346:48
Scoring Summary
FIRST PERIOD
TOR14:29 A. Matthews (23) (M. Marner, R. Sandin)
BOS15:18 T. Frederic (2) (C. Smith, C. Coyle)
SECOND PERIOD
TOR4:11 T. Brodie (4) (M. Marner, M. Rielly)
THIRD PERIOD
BOS6:25 C. Smith (10) (D. Krejci, M. Grzelcyk)
TOR7:07 J. Thornton (8) (I. Mikheyev, D. Malgin)
BOS17:39 B. Carlo (1) (D. Krejci)
BOS18:00 T. Frederic (3) (C. Smith, C. Coyle)
BOS19:20 B. Marchand (29) (EN) (Unassisted)


Very little has gone wrong for the Bruins this year. Entering the game against the Leafs, they had the best record in the Eastern Conference at 31-7-6 and sat atop of the Atlantic Division, albeit with both Toronto and Montreal hot on their heels.

Still, four straight losses in which the B's scored just five goals prompted Bruce Cassidy to make some tweaks to his forward grouping. Ondrej Kase, who continues to struggle with consistency, finds himself once again in the press box. Trent Frederic takes his place on the third line. Nick Ritchie moves up to the second line beside David Krejci, while Anders Bjork drops down to the fourth line.

The result? A five-goal outburst against the Leafs to snap the losing streak.

Frederic got things going with his second of the year (and would add another goal in the third), but the B's actually found themselves trailing 3-2 with just over two minutes remaining. Staring down a fifth straight loss, the team rallied for three goals in just 1:41, sparked by Brandon Carlo's game-tying goal, his first of the year. Brad Marchand would add an empty netter to seal the victory.


David Pastrnak was unstoppable against the Habs, scoring three goals and adding two assists in the 6-3 win.

Other Notes...
- It was the secondary scoring that got the job done against the Leafs, but it was David Pastrnak who was unstoppable once again versus the Habs. Pasta scored three goals and added two assists in the 6-3 victory. Trent Frederic was a wrecking ball, leading the way with six hits, while Patrice Bergeron picked up three points. One negative? Anders Bjork somehow managed to finish -2 in just 4:58 minutes of ice time.

- Perhaps inspired by yet another David Pastrnak hat trick, Craig Smith decided to get in on the action with a three-goal performance of his own against the Flyers. Charlie Coyle tallied the primary assists on all three goals as the B's held down a potent Flyers' offense, limiting them to just one goal on only 22 shots.

- The Bruins filled the net in their final two matchups before their "bye week", taking down the Blues 5-4 in regulation and the Rangers 5-4 in a shootout. Brad Marchand was unstoppable, with four goals, while the Perfection Line combined for 12 points.

Who's Hot
Brad Marchand - Marchy was downright unstoppable against the Blues and Rangers, and now has 33 goals and 68 points on the season. He is well on his way to surpass his career high in goals (39 back in 2016-2017), and has all but guaranteed he will score 100 points for the second time in his career.

Craig Smith - An underrated signing in the offseason, Smith has been everything the Bruins could have hoped for. He's given stability to the third line alongside Charlie Coyle, and the line seems to have found its groove now that Trent Frederic is on the other wing. Smith scored a hat trick against the Flyers and has 14 goals on the year. He's also been a terrific penalty killer.

Trent Frederic - Frederic is proving he belongs in the lineup. He did a great job filling in for Charlie Coyle when he was injured, and seems to have found chemistry on that third line. Frederic has three goals, 22 hits, and two fights in just 208 minutes this season, which is to say that he's making things happen when he's out there.

Who's Not
Anders Bjork - A very rough game against the Habs along with a demotion to the fourth line for the struggling Bjork, who can't seem to find the consistency in his game to be a regular in the top six. Could he be trade bait at the deadline?

Jaroslav Halak - Only one start for Halak during this five-game stretch, but he wasn't exactly sharp in it to say the least. Halak allowed five goals to a Blues' team that doesn't have an outstanding offense by any means. Halak has a terrific 12-2-4 record this year, but both his 2.64 goals against average and .905% save percentage would be his highest and lowest as a Bruin.

Providence Report (21-20-4, 100 GF, 103 GA)
- The baby B's seem to have found something as their strong play continued during this stretch of games, picking up five wins in seven games. The team continue to gets balanced scoring - although they aren't exactly filling the back of the net - and excellent goaltending from Dan Vladar, who is making his case that he should be on the roster next year.
- Jakub Lauko 14 goals, 11 assists, 25 points
- Jack Studnicka 5 goals, 16 assists, 21 points
- Zach Senyshyn 8 goals, 15 assists, 23 points
- Dan Vladar 20-20-4, 2.24, .913%


Craig Smith has quietly had a very strong season on the third line, and notched his second career hat-trick against the Flyers.
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Old 02-24-2021, 04:22 PM   #13
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Re: Bleed Black and Gold - Boston Bruins Franchise (NHL 21)

Bruins Spotlight: Bye Week Check-in


Brandon Carlo, who's thrown down a handful of times this season, has struggled with a -8 rating.

As the Bruins enter their "bye week", it's a perfect time to check in with the team and hand out some "awards" while also pondering some questions for their immediate future.

Boston Bruins Stats - 2021
SkatersGPGAPTS+/-GWPIMSOGSPCT
P. Bergeron493242744561616319.6%
D. Pastrnak493140714721620415.2%
B. Marchand493335684741816719.8%
D. Krejci49925347128810.2%
N. Ritchie4912213351137216.7%
C. Coyle4692029656999.1%
C. McAvoy4932629450411352.2%
C. Smith49141327512311512.2%
J. DeBrusk49131326-46189114.3%
J. Lauzon492161840127326.3%
A. Bjork497815-33126610.6%
M. Grzelcyk4911314-9011492.0%
B. Carlo4911112-8041342.9%
O. Kase364610502468.7%
S. Kuraly494610-4225458.9%
C. Wagner47527-100103813.2%
K. Miller4916711028254.0%
J. Zboril361451106185.6%
T. Frederic1931440152213.6%
C. Clifton1300040260.0%
GoaliesGPWLTGAATOISVSV%SHO
T. Rask3124522.42746.9082
J. Halak1912242.64469.9051


MVP - Patrice Bergeron. The new captain of the B's has brought it this year, to say the least. Bergy has tied a career-high in goals with 32 - and he still has over 30 games to play. He's just six points away from reaching 80 points for the first time in his career. He has a real opportunity to win the Hart Trophy for the first time in his career.

Biggest Surprise - Jeremy Lauzon. Paired with Charlie McAvoy in Zdeno Chara's old position, Lauzon has been terrific. He's a ridiculous +40 (thanks in large part to being on the ice with the Perfection Line), but he also leads the team in hits and is playing the second most minutes on the team. His strong skating and defensive play has also freed up McAvoy to be more offensive

Biggest Disappointment - Anders Bjork. There aren't many disappointments on a team that currently leads the NHL in points, but if we had to pick, it would be Bjork. When he was promoted to play alongside David Krejci, it seemed like it was the break he needed to secure a position in the top six. He couldn't do it, and now finds himself on the fourth line. A -3 rating and just 66 shots in 49 games isn't going to cut it on this team.

Biggest Concern - Brandon Carlo-Matt Grzelcyk. This pair looked great on paper - but it hasn't worked. Carlo is -8, even more shocking when you consider that he's never been a minus player in his career, and Grzelcyk is a -9. The return of Jakub Zboril has allowed Bruce Cassidy to tinker, as the team will explore a Zboril-Carlo and Grzelcyk-Miller pairing for the foreseeable future.

Lingering Questions

1) What will the Bruins do at the deadline?
- If the Bruins are serious about winning a Stanley Cup this year (and they should be), they need to upgrade the defense. The scoring is there, Rask is solid, and the defense is good - but it may not be good enough. Adding a left-handed defenseman - and there are a few good ones available - could be the difference in pushing this team over the threshold.

2) Do they have enough secondary scoring?
- The Bruins have scored 185 goals this season. The Perfection Line is responsible for 96 of them. That's nearly 52% of the team's goals from just three players. So far, no team in the league has been able to stop them consistently - but in a playoff series, if this line slows down, do the B's have enough secondary scoring to still get the job done? Craig Smith, Charlie Coyle, and Trent Frederic look like a great third line - but could the team be in the market for a winger to give David Krejci some more consistent help?

3) Can they hold off Toronto (34-10-5, 73 points - 5 points back) and Montreal (33-13-5, 71 points - 7 points back)
- The Boston Bruins are first in the NHL. Unfortunately for them, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens are second and fourth respectively. As if the league needed another reason to change this ridiculous playoff format, it's a tough look when three of the top four teams in the NHL could be eliminated by the Conference Finals because they have to play each other.
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Old 02-25-2021, 09:01 AM   #14
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Re: Bleed Black and Gold - Boston Bruins Franchise (NHL 21)

B's struggle to find their groove after lengthy time off (January 25th - February 7th)


Despite opening the scoring in the first against the Jets, the Bruins looked flat and rusty after their bye-week and ultimately fell, 5-2.

Results
LOSE 5-2 vs Winnipeg Jets
WIN 3-1 vs Philadelphia Flyers
LOSE 3-2 @ Washington Capitals
LOSE 4-1 vs New York Islanders
WIN 5-2 @ New York Rangers
Record: 2-3-0 (Overall - 38-10-6, 82 points), 1st in Atlantic

Game of the Week: 3-2 loss at Washington
Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals
Feb 3, 2021123F
BOS (37-8-6)2002
WAS (28-21-2)2103
Three Stars
T. Oshie
2 G, 1 A
C. Sheary
1 G, 2 A
N. Backstrom
2 A
Team Stats Comparison
BOSWAS
Shots on Goal2619
Hits2314
Faceoffs Won-Lost1118
Penalty Minutes2:002:00
Power Plays Converted00
Power Play Opportunities11
Time on Attack6:114:44
Scoring Summary
FIRST PERIOD
WAS6:20 C. Sheary (9) (E. Kuznetsov, T. Oshie)
BOS7:23 O. Kase (5) (M. Grzelcyk, T. Frederic)
BOS11:16 C. Coyle (10) (T. Frederic)
WAS11:39 T. Oshie (8) (C. Sheary, N. Backstrom)
SECOND PERIOD
WAS16:51 T. Oshie (9) (C. Sheary, N. Backstrom)


For the first time since their return from the bye-week, the Bruins actually looked like themselves. They outplayed the Capitals, for the most part, outshooting them 26-19, outhitting them 23-14, and held a significant advantage in time on attack.

That didn't matter on the scoreboard.

A wild first period saw the Capitals jump out to a 1-0 lead before the Bruins tied it just over a minute later, and then the Bruins take a 2-1 lead before Capitals tied it once again just 23 seconds after that.

That was pretty much it for excitement in this one, however, as the B's still struggled to generate a consistent offensive attack. A late second period goal by TJ Oshie - his second of the night - would stand as the game-winner.

One big problem for the Bruins in this one was possessing the puck after a face-off. Boston had one of it's worst face-off performances of the year, with Patrice Bergeron winning just 3 of his 10 attempts and Charlie Coyle winning just one draw all night.


Given another chance to get into the lineup because of an injury to Craig Smith, Kase scored a goal and added two assists.

Other Notes...
- A week lay off while you are playing some of your best hockey of the year certainly did not benefit the Bruins. They looked flat and rusty against the Jets, and were outshot 37-18 in the 5-2 loss. The game was actually tied at one entering the third period until the Jets exploded for four goals. The second line of David Krejci, Nick Ritchie, and Jake DeBrusk finished a combined -10.

- Although the B's got the result on the scoreboard against Philadelphia, it was only because of Tuukka Rask. The Flyers outshot Boston 46-16 (that's a combined 84-34 in two games for those keep tracking) and dominated them for the majority of the game, but couldn't find a way to beat Tuukka.

- Injury update - Craig Smith suffered a pulled groin against the Flyers and will miss 1-2 weeks. Ondrej Kase returns to the lineup to take his spot at right wing on the third line.

- Another lacklustre performance against the Islanders resulted in a 4-1 defeat. The B's spent the majority of the night in the penalty box, taking six minors, and although they finished the night perfect on the penalty kill, it prevented them from generating any sort of consistent offense. Perhaps worn down by the games earlier in the week, Rask struggled in this one, allowing four goals on just 22 shots.

- The Rangers are always a welcome cure to whatever may be ailing you. The B's finally put together a solid 60 minutes and cruised to a relatively routine 5-2 win in New York. Patrice Bergeron scored twice while Jaroslav Halak was solid in between the pipes, stopping 20 of 22 shots.

Who's Hot
Ondrej Kase - After being a healthy scratch for the second time this year, Kase returned to replace an injured Craig Smith and was excellent. He scored and picked up three points in his three game return. It may come down to Kase or Anders Bjork when Smith returns to the lineup, so he needs to continue to play this way on a consistent basis if he wants to remain in the top 12.

Patrice Bergeron - Bergy has officially set a career high in goals after he scored his 33rd of the season against the Flyers. He added three more against the Islanders and Rangers to give him 36 on the year as his MVP season continues.

Trent Frederic - Frederic remains right here as he continues to do whatever it takes to stay in the lineup. He isn't afraid to drop the gloves (two fighting majors this week) but he's also contributing offensively, as he scored a goal and added three assists in this five-game stretch. Frederic now has four goals, is a solid +5, and has dished out 36 hits in his 24 games this year.

Who's Not
Brandon Carlo - Carlo continues to struggle, and switching Jakub Zboril and Matt Grzelcyk didn't seem to help. Carlo was a rough -5 this week, and is now -13 on the year. They need to find a way to get him back to the shutdown defenseman he can be.

Tuukka Rask - It was a weird stretch for Rask. He was terrific against the Jets and Flyers, stopping 87 of 93 shots, but then not very good against the Capitals and Islanders, stopping just 34 of 41 shots. He's been excellent at times this year, but his 2.48 goals against average and .907% save percentage aren't where he should be.

Providence Report (23-21-4, 105 GF, 108 GA)
- Providence continues to win with excellent defense and goaltending. Jakub Lauko has had a strong year, but when your leading scorer after 48 games has just 26 points, you know you may have a problem offensively. It'll be interesting to see if a recent lineup tweak will help the team score a little more as they prepare for a playoff push.
- Jakub Lauko 14 goals, 12 assists, 26 points
- Jack Studnicka 6 goals, 16 assists, 22 points
- Karson Kuhlman 9 goals, 14 assists, 23 points
- Urho Vaakainen 2 goals, 19 assists, 21 points
- Dan Vladar 22-21-4, 2.20, .915%


It took four games, but the Bruins finally looked like themselves against the Rangers as they cruised to a 5-2 victory.
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Old 02-26-2021, 08:47 PM   #15
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Re: Bleed Black and Gold - Boston Bruins Franchise (NHL 21)

Bruins sweep West Coast trip, including a potential Stanley Cup Final preview (February 8th - February 21st)


Charlie McAvoy scores the shootout winner against the Vegas Golden Knights in what could be a Stanley Cup matchup come June.

Results
WIN 5-2 vs Los Angeles Kings
WIN 4-2 vs Colorado Avalanche
WIN 4-0 vs Chicago Blackhawks
WIN 3-2 (OT) @ Anaheim Ducks
WIN 4-2 @ Los Angeles Kings
WIN 4-2 @ San Jose Sharks
WIN 3-2 (SO) @ Vegas Golden Knights
Record: 7-0-0 (Overall - 45-10-6, 96 points), 1st in Atlantic

Game of the Week: 3-2 (SO) win at Vegas
Boston Bruins at Vegas Golden Knights
Feb 20, 2021123SOF
BOS (44-10-6)01113
VEG (38-17-6)11002
Three Stars
M. Fleury
36 Saves
W. Karlsson
2 G
M. Stone
2 A
Team Stats Comparison
BOSVEG
Shots on Goal3827
Hits2713
Faceoffs Won-Lost1914
Penalty Minutes2:006:00
Power Plays Converted00
Power Play Opportunities31
Time on Attack6:495:48
Scoring Summary
FIRST PERIOD
VEG2:02 W. Karlsson (23) (S. Theodore, M. Stone)
SECOND PERIOD
VEG1:01 W. Karlsson (24) (J. Marchessault, M. Stone)
BOS5:54 J. DeBrusk (16) (D. Krejci, D. Pastrnak)
THIRD PERIOD
BOS13:36 S. Kuraly (6) (A. Bjork, K. Miller)
SHOOTOUT
BOSC. McAvoy


A potential Stanley Cup preview certainly lived up the hype as the Bruins met the Golden Knights in Vegas for one of the best games of the season. Vegas jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second period thanks to two goals by William Karlsson, both of which coming with Boston's top line on the ice - a rare sight this year.

Jake DeBrusk got the Bruins back in the game by notching his 16th of the year after taking a beautiful backdoor pass from David Krejci and deflecting the puck past Marc-Andre Fleury. The game would remain 2-1 for the Golden Knights until late in the third, when it was the B's fourth line that came through. Kevan Miller pinched to keep the puck in along the boards, and it was scooped up by Anders Bjork. Bjork fired a shot on goal and it was redirected past Fleury by Sean Kuraly.

An exciting overtime period saw several great scoring opportunities for both teams, but no goals, so it was on to the shootout. Both Fleury and Tuukka Rask stood tall, with each turning aside the first six shooters from each team. Fleury blinked first, however, as Charlie McAvoy, the B's seventh shooter, made a beautiful move to beat Fleury. Rask stood tall against Alex Tuch, and the B's came away with two points.


Tuukka Rask stands tall on a penalty shot attempt against the San Jose Sharks.

Other Notes...
- Before the Bruins headed out West, they oddly played three Western Conference teams on home ice. They dispatched of the Kings in routine fashion, but they were very impressive against a strong Colorado team. Despite the power play failing to score on four opportunities, the B's carried the play and took home the 4-2 victory.

- Boston followed those two victories up with a shutdown performance against the Blackhawks, limiting Chicago to just 20 shots on goal in the 4-0 victory. The Perfection Line combined for eight points in the win, although the team did reveal afterwards that Nick Ritchie would be out indefinitely with back spasms. Luckily, Craig Smith will be able to fill his spot in the lineup after missing several games with a groin injury.

- The B's began their road trip out west with back-to-back games against the Kings and Ducks, and were able to come away with four points. Tuukka Rask was terrific against the Ducks, making 36 saves, while Halak was steady against the Kings - his second win against Los Angeles in just over a week.

- The San Jose Sharks may be the surprise of the NHL this season, but they were outclassed by the Bruins. Boston outshot San Jose 40-15, but somehow found themselves in a tie game late in the third period. Jake DeBrusk would break that tie, however, scoring with just 53 seconds remaining. Charlie McAvoy would add an empty net goal.

Who's Hot
Perfection Line - To be fair, this line could be on the list every single week, but they were especially good during this seven-game stretch. The trio of Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, and Brad Marchand tallied 31 total points this week, and all three players now have over 80 points on the season.

Patrice Bergeron - Bergy has officially set a career high in goals after he scored his 33rd of the season against the Flyers. He added three more against the Islanders and Rangers to give him 36 on the year as his MVP season continues.

Tuukka Rask - After a rough stretch post-Christmas, Tuukka turned it on during this stretch, posting a perfect 5-0-0 record and picking up his third shutout of the year. Rask allowed just eight goals in those five games, and has a tremendous 30-8-2 record on the season.

Matt Grzelcyk/Kevan Miller - With the Grzelcyk and Brandon Carlo pair struggling, Bruce Cassidy made a switch and moved Grz down to the third pair to play with Miller. They've been terrific. Grzelcyk even picked up his second goal of the year against the Avs, while Miller, not known for his offense, added two assists during this stretch.

Who's Not
None! - A 7-0-0 two-week stretch that saw the B's win four games out west, including a shootout win over the best team in the Western Conference, means no one is on the bad list this time!

Providence Report (23-24-6, 113 GF, 123 GA)
- Not a good stretch of games for Providence who are watching their playoff hopes slowly slip away. The reason is simple - the team can't score goals. The Baby B's scored just eight goals in a 0-3-2 stretch - although Jack Studnicka did score three of them.
- Jakub Lauko 14 goals, 16 assists, 30 points
- Jack Studnicka 9 goals, 18 assists, 27 points
- Karson Kuhlman 9 goals, 17 assists, 26 points
- Zach Senyshyn 8 goals, 16 assists, 24 points
- Dan Vladar 22-24-6, 2.25, .912%


Who else? David Pastrnak tallies one against the Colorado Avalanche, and now has 37 goals this season.
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Old 03-01-2021, 09:33 AM   #16
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Re: Bleed Black and Gold - Boston Bruins Franchise (NHL 21)

Bruins Spotlight: Trade Deadline


Could Trent Frederic be on the move this deadline? Rumour has it the Bruins are looking at adding a defenseman to prepare for a serious run at the Stanley Cup.

At 45-10-6, first place in not just the Atlantic Division but in the entire NHL, the Bruins don't have to set the world on fire this deadline - but they will certainly by a buyer.

There were two major concerns facing the Bruins entering this season: 1) would they get enough secondary scoring to complement the top line? and 2) would the young defense group hold up despite losing both Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug?

The answer to the first question is a resounding yes. Jake DeBrusk, Charlie Coyle, David Krejci, Nick Ritchie, and Craig Smith all have goal totals in the double digits, while Anders Bjork, Ondrej Kase, and Trent Frederic have chipped in here and there. The first line has also been ridiculous, and as a result the Bruins have scored the most goals in the league.

The answer to the second question is a bit more complicated. While they've been very solid defensively all year, the Bruins have struggled, at times, to consistently move the puck out of their own end. The pairing of Brandon Carlo and Matt Grzelcyk did not work out as planned, although both Jakub Zboril and Jeremy Lauzon have been terrific in their first seasons as every day regulars. Still, if there's an area to shore up, it would be on the backend - especially on the left side.

With that in mind, here are some potential targets for the B's as the deadline approaches, and some players they may be willing to part with.

Trade Targets
D Niklas Hjalmarsson, Arizona, 33 years old, 1 yr/$5m, 5-15-20, 23:53, +12
- The Coyotes are still in the playoff hunt, but if they can get an asset for Hjalmarsson, who will be a UFA and they likely won't resign, then they plan to move him. This guy should be right at the top of the Bruins' list as he would likely slot in beside Brandon Carlo on the second pair to give the B's a true shutdown pairing, which would be essential to a successful playoff run.

D Marc Staal, Detroit, 34 years old, 1 yr/$5.7m, 2-24-26, 23:30, +24 (AHL)
- The fact that Staal hasn't been able to crack the lineup of a bad Red Wings team should tell you where his game is at the moment. Still, if the B's don't want to give up a whole lot, they could likely get Staal for just a middle round draft pick. But is he an upgrade on someone like Zboril? Probably not.

D Dustin Byfuglien, Los Angeles, 35 years old, 1 yr/$3m, 7-20-27, 26:21, +2
- A truly intriguing option here. Byfuglien is a physical monster and can also chip in offensively. At 35, he only has a few more chances to win the Cup - and he's been there before. The price may be a little high here, however, and there are some questions about his play in his own end.

D Nick Leddy, Islanders, 29 years old, 2 yr/$3.75m, 3-12-15, 26:14, -15
- The -15 rating is ugly - but that may be more of a statement on the Islanders season than Leddy himself. He's more of an offensive defenseman, however, and the B's don't really need that - plus, he'd cost a bit more because of his age and because he is under contract for another year at a fairly reasonable price.

D Mattias Ekhlom, Nashville, 30 years old, 2 yr/$3.75m, 1-12-13, 23:08, +1
- If the Preds are willing to move Ekholm, the B's should be first in line. He can play all roles, including power play and penalty kill, and could jump in beside Charlie McAvoy if Bruce Cassidy opts to move Lauzon down to play with Carlo. He won't be cheap, however, because he is a steal at that contract.

Bruins' Trade Chips
Top Tier
Jake DeBrusk (24, 16-15-31)
Jack Studnicka (22, 9-18-27 - AHL)
Urho Vaakanainen (22, 2-19-21 - AHL)
- The Bruins don't have a ton of top prospects that would get a lot of teams excited. As a result, if they want to make a big move, they are going to have to package together several players. For a big addition, that likely means two of these three. Both Studnicka and Vaakanainen could attract a lot of interest as the team's top two prospects, and DeBrusk, while inconsistent, has shown he can score at the NHL level.

Middle Tier
Nick Ritchie (25, 12-24-36)
Jeremy Lauzon (23, 3-18-21)
Anders Bjork (24, 8-9-17)
Jakub Zboril (24, 1-4-5)
Jakub Lauko (20, 14-16-30 - AHL)
- The B's would likely want to package together a pick and a player from this group to add one of the guys listed above. All of these players are currently in that "sell high" category - especially Nick Ritchie, who has put together a great year - mainly because he's on the top power play unit (he has 19 power play points). Both Lauzon and Zboril have been terrific, but do they project as top four - or top two - defensemen longterm? Bjork's value slowly fades as he continues to struggle with consistency, but at his age and contract, he could be appealing. Lauko has been Providence's best player, although he is still behind Studnicka and Vaakanainen on the team's top prospect list.

Bottom Tier
Ondrej Kase (25, 6-10-16)
Trent Frederic (23, 5-5-10)
- Could the B's find a team to take on Kase? If they do, it'll likely be paired with someone like Studnicka or Lauzon. He's still young, but he doesn't have a whole lot of value right now. Frederic has looked good in spurts, and some people think he could become a Brad Marchand like player with less skill, but most see him as a future fourth liner.
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