Took a bit of a break from writing , but over the last 7 games the Bruins have been still struggling to find consistency in their game and goal scoring. The record over that 7 game stretch has been 3 wins 2 losses in regulation and 2 losses in extra time , one in OT and the other in a shootout. In those 7 games they allowed 14 goals and scored a total of 14. Also during this period Brad was suspended for 3 games for a so called slew-foot in the Vancouver victory . Over the 3 games they went 1-1-1 and no question Brads absence could have swung at least one game or perhaps both losses especially to the Red Wings . Perhaps the best game in these 7 was the Tampa Bay loss in OT . A game that the Bruins deserved a better fate because they were the better team from the start.
Plus Coach Cassidy was placed in Covid protocol with Covid , so over the last few games Sacco has handled the coaching assignments.Thankfully Coach Cassidy has had mild symptoms and the spread didn't hit his family or the Bruins . It will be great to see Bruce back behind the bench soon. Then add more drama DeBrusk went public with his trade request. No one should be truly surprised because its clear , he and Coach Cassidy seem to have a difficult relationship. So between Brads suspension, Cassidy in Covid protocol and DeBrusk trade request , the well oiled ship of the Bruins has been a bit rocky over the last week and a half.
A few positives over this 7 game run has been the overall play of both Ulmark and Swayman . Both have played very solid and have given the Bruins the type of goal-tending you need to win. Ulmark against the Oilers was stellar which is what you need when your on a back to back . The defense has been better in their zone as well . Still making some gaffs but it looks like its turning a corner to being more responsible in the d zone.
Areas of concern have not really changed . The secondary scoring is missing still . But the reason that is even more glaring is Pasta has just 8 goals and we are past the quarter mark. At his current pace he might not even hit 30 goals and his shooting percentage right now is almost half of what it has been in his career. This could change , but I have found his shot placement and selection has really been off . In a few tight games we have lost this year , if he had have added a goal here and there , we could have had perhaps 3 more wins .
That 2nd line ! They have been good at times but at times ,almost invisible. The other night against the Oilers in 2 periods they hadn't even registered a shot on goal. However in one shift they created a turnover late in the 3rd and that resulted in the winning goal by Grzelcyk. If we are to push for a playoff spot that must change . I think flipping Pasta back and moving Smith up to play with Brad and Bergy might work. Hall and Pasta looked decent together when Brad was suspended and Hall and Pasta could help each other elevate their games.
Plus what is with our bottom 6 . I truly thought with the signings in the off season they would be better , rejuvenated . But they have been very mediocre at best most nights .
So next up in this 3 game road trip is Calgary who shut the Bruins down in Boston a couple of weeks ago. This will be a real test again because the Flames are playing a very stifling type of game . So far 3 out of a possible 4 points is solid and tonight if we can get a victory this will be a solid trip and hopefully a real building block to push the Bruins to play better in the games ahead. So lets get it on , Go Bruins.
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